Synonyms of kernel

kernel

noun

ˈkər-nᵊl 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• root
• core
• essence
• heart
• meat
• point
• nucleus
• sum
• pith
• bottom line
• crux
• gist
• pivot
• sum and substance
• nub
• net
• keynote
• centerpiece
• meat and potatoes
• theme
• subject
• nubbin
• tenor
• bull's-eye
• the long and short
• content
• substance
• direction
• body
• course
• drift
• thesis
• hypothesis
• proposition
• purport

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of kernel

The company showed Kimi K3 optimizing GPU kernels, developing a GPU compiler called MiniTriton, designing a prototype AI chip using open-source electronic design automation tools, and completing a computational astrophysics workflow. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026

Planters is among several widely available brands that sell sunflower kernels at major grocery stores. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 July 2026

The patch fixes security vulnerabilities in Win32K, NTFS, Remote Desktop, Hyper-V, Secure Boot, Print Spooler, Media Foundation, the Windows installer, and the Windows kernel itself, among others. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 15 July 2026

Refined grains, such as white flour, have had the bran (the outer layer of the grain kernel) and the germ (the part of the kernel that can grow into a new plant) removed during processing. — Jillian Kubala, Health, 14 July 2026