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

Underwood was 3 of 9 for 22 yards on Saturday when the Wolverines wrapped up spring practices, putting him on the field with both the blue and maize teams for the first quarter. —CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026

Everything — watermelons, maize, wheat, flowers — use lots of fungicides. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 17 Apr. 2026

As Cadeau pecked his way through the blue-and-maize confetti littering the court, Justin did a quick change. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026

Elliot Cadeau came rushing over to his mom after the game, a fistful of maize-and-blue confetti clutched tight in his hand. —Justin Williams, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026

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