From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishkernelker‧nel /ˈkɜːnl $ ˈkɜːr-/ noun [countable] 1 DFFHBPthe part of a nut or seed inside the shell, or the part inside the stone of some fruits2 [usually singular] one of the small yellow pieces on a corn cob3 MAIN[usually singular] the most important part of a statement, idea, plan etc SYN corekernel of This evidence is the kernel of the defendants’ case.4 [usually singular] a very small part or amount of somethingkernel of There may be a kernel of truth in what he says.
Examples from the Corpus
a kernel of truth• That statement is an oversimplification, but it contains a kernel of truth.• In reality, there is only a kernel of truth in this scenario.Origin kernel Old English cyrnel, from corn; → CORN 