husk

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a usually dry or membranous outer covering (such as a pod or one composed of bracts) of various seeds and fruits (such as barley and corn) : hull
also : one of the constituent parts
b
: a carob pod
2
a
: an outer layer : shell
b
: an emptied shell : remnant
c
: a supporting framework

husk

2 of 2

verb

husked; husking; husks

transitive verb

: to strip the husk from
husker noun

Examples of husk in a Sentence

Noun a high stone wall is the husk that protects the actor from prying curiosity seekers Verb the tedious task of husking coconuts
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The VMAs have been a husk of its former self for a while now, and this year’s edition isn’t going to change that. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 13 Sep. 2023 Ground cherries go by several nicknames, such as cape gooseberries, husk tomatoes, and poha berry. Susan Brownstein, cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023 Rather than bristles, this eco-friendly toilet brush has scrub heads made from coconut husks that are gentle yet abrasive enough to scrub away toilet grime. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2023 Psyllium husk powder, a key ingredient in this product, is a fiber that supports bowel regularity and helps lower cholesterol levels. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2023 But the husk is not around the fruit protecting it. oregonlive, 2 Sep. 2023 These products are a combination of starches, a leavening agent, and psyllium husk fiber (a gluten-free plant fiber that aids in thickening). Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2023 Pot Brush The one shown above is made from coir fibers, which come from the outer husk of the coconut. Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 29 Aug. 2023 While high-fiber foods such as beans and whole grains are off-limits for keto dieters, psyllium husk is an excellent alternative. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2023
Verb
Ingredients 4 ears fresh yellow corn, husked, silks removed 2 tsp. Julia Levy, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2023 The Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, for example, lets guests husk coconuts, take ukulele and hula lessons, and rent GoPro cameras as part of its $50 daily resort fee. Catherine Garcia, The Week, 8 Apr. 2023 For less fuss, feel free to fully husk the corn and wrap it in foil. Sunset Magazine, 1 July 2022 While the fields are no longer burned today, the taste for the dark, smoky flour remains and producers in Puglia and around Italy now make industrialized grano arso flour and dried pastas from husked, deeply toasted grains. Stacy Adimando, Saveur, 9 Oct. 2017 Some sold for several hundred dollars, husks good only for spare parts. Aaron Calvin, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2019 As Alex, Sturridge does a good job of husking himself as the story goes sour. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2019 To freeze ground cherries, simply spread the husked, washed fruits on a rimmed cookie sheet and place them in the freezer. The Editors, Good Housekeeping, 31 July 2018 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'husk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1562, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of husk was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near husk

Cite this Entry

“Husk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/husk. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

husk

1 of 2 noun
1
: a usually thin dry outer covering of various seeds or fruits (as barley and corn) : hull
2
: an outer layer : shell

husk

2 of 2 verb
: to strip the husk from
husker noun

Medical Definition

husk

noun
: hoose
an outbreak of husk was observed in a flock of 200 sheepVeterinary Bulletin

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