kernel

noun

ˈkər-nᵊl How to pronounce kernel (audio)
Definition of kernelnext
as in root
the central part or aspect of something under consideration the kernel of your argument seems to be the inevitability of human migration into space

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of kernel Meanwhile, Argon agents have been working to migrate C/C++ codebases to Rust across Google, including thousands of lines in the core re2 and libgav1 libraries and more than 800,000 lines in the Fuchsia OS Zircon kernel. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026 What has that been like knowing that there are kernels of somebody’s real story in this fictional story? — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 Sugar brings just the right sweetness, and corn kernels—fresh or frozen—ensure each bite is loaded with corn flavor. — Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026 At this point, the idea of reuniting is just a kernel, but the cameras were rolling pretty early in advance as part of the band’s LPTV YouTube channel. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kernel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kernel
  1. root
  2. core
  3. essence
  4. heart
Noun
  • Becoming the first Latino directly elected to California’s highest office is a distinction Becerra was reluctant to promote on the campaign trail, preferring instead to focus on his humble roots.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The root of Wilson’s resentment is that he was charmed by the pods version of Wilnie, who was temporarily free from real-life concerns and whose only job was to banter with him through a wall.
    — Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the MacBook Neo's iPhone-grade chip outperformed Googlebooks’ processors in single-core performance, while losing out on multi-core performance by varying (but overall large) margins.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
  • As that enormous dome thinned through the Holocene, its margin withdrew up onto Baffin Island, and what’s left today is the deflated core of something that was once two miles thick.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of core
Noun
  • Joseph Zada is beyond impressive in a highly demanding role that pushes him to the limit physically and emotionally, perfectly capturing the essence of Haymitch with all the sympathy, charm and bitterness Woody Harrelson brought to the role.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026
  • First, the essence of each brand tends to manifest in aesthetics and interaction models.
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of essence
Noun
  • The sharpest character study lies in the potential recipient of Simon’s heart, a woman who has all but given up on having a future but then finds herself at the top of a transplant list, suddenly lucky enough to get a new life.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Ashley Padilla Padilla, who captured hearts as a star cast member of SNL this past year, made the room laugh with a toast full of jokes and references to her most notable sketches.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of heart

Browse Nearby Words

kerfuffles
kernel
kernels
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Cite this Entry

“Kernel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kernel. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kernel

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