corm

noun

ˈkȯrm How to pronounce corm (audio)
: a rounded thick modified underground stem base bearing membranous or scaly leaves and buds and acting as a vegetative reproductive structure compare bulb, tuber

Examples of corm 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.
Planting gladiolus corms in August gives gardeners a late October or early November bloom time. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 July 2026 Native to the rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia, the endangered Titan Arum grows from a large corm, a bulb-like tuber underground. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 13 July 2026 When planting gladioli, Kemery recommends placing the corms 4 to 6 inches deep with the pointed end facing up, once the soil has warmed. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026 However, when replanting the divisions, only cover the crowns with 1 inch of soil. Liatris, also known as blazing star, spreads via underground rhizomes or corms, and should be divided every 4 to 5 years to keep plants healthy and flowering well. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for corm

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin cormus, borrowed from Greek kormós "tree trunk after removal of the boughs," from kor-, o-grade derivative from the base of keírein "to cut off, shave" + -mos, resultative noun suffix — more at shear entry 1

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of corm was in 1830

Rhymes for corm

See All Rhymes for corm

Browse Nearby Words

Çorlu
corm
cormatose
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Corm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corm. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

corm

noun
ˈkȯrm How to pronounce corm (audio)
: a solid underground part of a stem (as of the crocus) that is shaped like a bulb compare bulb sense 1a, tuber sense 1

Medical Definition

corm

noun
ˈkȯ(ə)rm How to pronounce corm (audio)
: a rounded thick modified underground stem base bearing membranous or scaly leaves and buds and acting as a vegetative reproductive structure

More from Merriam-Webster on corm

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about corm

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