maize

noun

ˈmāz 

: a tall annual cereal grass (Zea mays) originally domesticated in Mexico and widely grown for its large elongated ears of starchy seeds : corn entry 1 sense 4

Along with maize, their main food, the ancient Maya planted squash, beans, peppers, cacao, and other plants, all of which they used for food or medicinal purposes.

—Evelyn Dana Feld

But evidence has been elusive, because the standard macrofossils—say, squash rinds or maize kernels—quickly rot in the sultry climate.

—Kathryn Brown

Examples of maize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Annual plants like maize have to be planted every year, so seed selection happens every year, which means domestication can potentially happen rapidly. —Grrlscientist, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025

In its first full year, 1846, Robert Peel’s Conservative government imported huge quantities of corn, known in Europe as maize, from America to feed the starving. —Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025

The project integrates indigenous farming practices like crop rotation and intercropping (e.g., maize with beans) to maintain soil health and maximize land use. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Some shouted and danced; others raced to the market immediately to buy maize. —Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish maíz, from Taino mahiz

First Known Use

circa 1544, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for maize

• baize
• bays
• blase
• blaze
• braes
• braze
• chaise
• claes
• clays
• craze
• dais
• days

Kids Definition

maize

noun

ˈmāz 

1

: corn entry 1 sense 1

2

corn entry 1 sense 2

3

corn entry 1 sense 3