seed corn: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “seed corn” mean?
Grain, especially corn (maize), that is kept and used for planting in order to grow a new crop.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Grain, especially corn (maize), that is kept and used for planting in order to grow a new crop.
A valuable resource, investment, or group of people that is developed or preserved to ensure future success, growth, or continuity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In its literal sense, 'corn' in British English refers to grain in general (e.g., wheat, barley), while in American English it almost exclusively means maize. Therefore, 'seed corn' in the UK could theoretically refer to seed for any cereal crop, though context usually specifies. In its figurative sense, the usage is identical.
Connotations
Identical in figurative use: positive connotations of foresight, investment, and future security.
Frequency
The figurative sense is more frequent than the literal in general discourse, especially in business and news media. The literal sense is confined to agricultural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “seed corn” in a Sentence
Noun + of + seed corn (e.g., a sack of seed corn)Seed corn + for + noun phrase (e.g., seed corn for the future)Verb + seed corn (e.g., preserve our seed corn)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to funds reinvested into R&D or talent development instead of being paid out as dividends.
Academic
Used in economics and development studies to discuss sustainable investment vs. consumption.
Everyday
Rare in literal sense unless discussing gardening/farming. Figurative use understood in discussions about planning.
Technical
In agriculture, specifies grain certified and stored for planting, not for consumption or feed.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “seed corn”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'We need to seed corn the project'). It is strictly a noun.
- Confusing it with 'seed capital', which is money to start a business, whereas 'seed corn' is a broader metaphor for any resource invested for future yield.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its most common use in modern general English is figurative, relating to business, economics, and planning for the future.
No, 'seed corn' is a compound noun. The related verb would be 'to seed' (as in 'to seed a field'), but 'to seed corn' is not a phrasal verb with the figurative meaning.
It originates from the critical agricultural practice of saving the best grain from a harvest to plant the next year's crop, rather than consuming it all. This concept was metaphorically extended to other resources.
Yes. 'Seed capital' is a specific financial term for the initial money used to start a business. 'Seed corn' is a broader metaphor for any resource (money, people, ideas) set aside to generate future success.
Grain, especially corn (maize), that is kept and used for planting in order to grow a new crop.
Seed corn is usually formal, technical, figurative in register.
Seed corn: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsiːd ˌkɔːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsiːd ˌkɔːrn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't eat your seed corn. (Proverbial warning against using up resources needed for future survival.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a farmer saving the best ears of corn to plant next spring. Just like that, a company saves its 'seed corn'—its best ideas and money—to grow in the future.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FUTURE IS A CROP THAT MUST BE PLANTED FOR TODAY / PRESENT RESOURCES ARE SEEDS FOR FUTURE GROWTH.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does 'seed corn' metaphorically represent?