corn on the cob

noun phrase

: ears of corn with or without their leafy outer covering
Husk the corn on the cob and cut off the kernels.—Linda Gassenheimer
Visitors to the barn will see colorful vegetables like tomatoes, corn on the cob and peppers available for purchase …—Shari Harris
especially : sweet corn kernels cooked on and eaten from the corncob
Hot buttered corn on the cob is one of summer's most perfect pleasures. —Bon Appétit

Examples of corn on the cob in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Some are molded into corn on the cob, celery and rhubarb shapes. — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Kelsey passes around a bowl of clam shells with questions written on them as Liz gnaws on a corn on the cob. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 June 2026 Having corn on the cob during the summer is a must, but dealing with remnants of corn in your teeth or the mess of buttery goodness all over your hands can be a pain. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 24 June 2026 Whether spread on warm pancakes, melted onto corn on the cob, baked into our favorite cakes, cookies and pies or enjoyed atop fresh bread, both have earned a permanent place in many kitchens. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for corn on the cob

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of corn on the cob was in 1867

Rhymes for corn on the cob

See All Rhymes for corn on the cob

Browse Nearby Words

Corno, Monte
corn on the cob
cornopean
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Corn on the cob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corn%20on%20the%20cob. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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