hominy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized/Culinary/Regional (Southern US)
Quick answer
What does “hominy” mean?
A food made from dried maize kernels that have been treated with an alkali, such as lye or lime, in a process called nixtamalization, resulting in softened, swollen kernels with the hulls removed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A food made from dried maize kernels that have been treated with an alkali, such as lye or lime, in a process called nixtamalization, resulting in softened, swollen kernels with the hulls removed.
Primarily refers to the prepared kernel itself, which can be eaten whole (known as 'samp' when coarsely ground) or ground into masa for making tortillas, tamales, and other dishes. It is a staple ingredient in traditional Native American and Southern U.S. cuisine.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively used in American English, particularly in the Southern and Southwestern United States. In British English, the ingredient is largely unknown under this name; it might be described as 'processed maize' or 'nixtamalized corn' in specialist contexts.
Connotations
In American English, it connotes traditional, rustic, or Southern cooking. It has cultural significance in Native American and Appalachian cuisine. In British English, it has no inherent connotations due to its obscurity.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general corpora. Its use is concentrated in American culinary writing, historical texts, and regional dialogue.
Grammar
How to Use “hominy” in a Sentence
[verb] + hominy: cook, prepare, serve, eat, stew, rinse[adjective] + hominy: canned, dried, white, yellow, nixtamalized, lime-treatedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hominy” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The recipe, originating from the Americas, called for an ingredient called hominy, which was unfamiliar to the British cooks.
- In his study of indigenous foods, the anthropologist detailed the process of making hominy.
American English
- We always have a pot of hominy on the stove during the holidays.
- She rinsed the canned hominy before adding it to the posole.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Possibly in contexts of food import/export or specialty grocery.
Academic
Used in anthropology, food history, and culinary studies discussing Native American or Mesoamerican food processing techniques.
Everyday
Common only in regions of the United States where the food is traditional (e.g., Southern US, Southwest). Elsewhere, largely unknown.
Technical
Used in food science to describe the product of nixtamalization.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hominy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hominy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hominy”
- Misspelling as 'homily' (a sermon).
- Confusing 'hominy' (the kernels) with 'grits' (the ground form).
- Assuming it is known universally in English-speaking countries.
- Using it as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'three hominies'); it is generally uncountable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Hominy is made from dried field corn (maize) that has been treated with an alkali. Sweetcorn is a different variety eaten fresh as a vegetable.
Hominy refers to the whole, treated kernels. Grits are made by drying hominy kernels and then grinding them into a coarse, medium, or fine meal.
Yes, canned hominy is fully cooked and can be eaten after rinsing, though it is typically heated or incorporated into dishes like soups, stews, or casseroles.
The alkali treatment (nixtamalization) softens the hull, makes the corn easier to grind, significantly improves its nutritional value (releasing niacin), and gives it a distinctive flavor.
A food made from dried maize kernels that have been treated with an alkali, such as lye or lime, in a process called nixtamalization, resulting in softened, swollen kernels with the hulls removed.
Hominy is usually specialized/culinary/regional (southern us) in register.
Hominy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒm.ɪ.ni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑː.mə.ni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The word is purely referential with no idiomatic usage.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HOME in the American SOUTH where they eat many bowls of hominy.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD AS HERITAGE / FOOD AS TRADITIONAL SUSTENANCE
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary culinary process used to create hominy?