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Distinguishing Between Core and Corps and Corpse and Corp
These words are frequently confused despite their very different applications. Core and corps both rhyme with more. Core can be a noun, verb, or adjective, but is most often used as a noun to refer to the central or most important part of something (“the core of the issue,” “the Earth’s core”) or to the usually inedible central part of a fruit (“an apple core”). Corps has several meanings, all of which refer to some kind of group: “the Marine Corps,” “the press corps.” Its plural form is also spelled corps (“two corps of reporters”) but is pronounced just as cores is. Unlike in corps, The “p” in corpse and corp is pronounced. Corpse refers to a dead body, and especially to the dead body of a human. Corp is an abbreviation for “corporation” and “corporal.” Corp, corps, and corpse all trace back to the Latin word corpus, meaning “body.” The origin of core is obscure.
Examples of corps in a Sentence
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 11 June 2026
Rather than remain idle, the conservation corps shifted its efforts elsewhere, traveling south to assist with wildfire mitigation projects near Colorado's Great Sand Dunes.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 11 June 2026
The Leafs have a veteran corps but had significant injuries and finished last in the Atlantic Division this past season with a 32-36-14 record, leading to Berube’s dismissal.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Adding scientists to the corps in the late 1960s, and deliberately recruiting women and Black astronauts in the 1970s, were widely hailed as steps the agency was taking back then towards diversity.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for corps
Cite this Entry
“Corps.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corps. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
from French corps "part of a military organization," derived from Latin corpus "body" — related to corpse
