First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1core
noun, often attributive \ˈkȯr\
Definition of CORE
1
: a central and often foundational part usually distinct from the enveloping part by a difference in nature <the core of the city>: as a : the usually inedible central part of some fruits (as a pineapple); especially : the papery or leathery carpels composing the ripened ovary in a pome fruit (as an apple) b : the portion of a foundry mold that shapes the interior of a hollow casting c : a vertical space (as for elevator shafts, stairways, or plumbing apparatus) in a multistory building d (1) : a mass of iron serving to concentrate and intensify the magnetic field resulting from a current in a surrounding coil (2) : a tiny doughnut-shaped piece of magnetic material (as ferrite) used in computer memories (3) : a computer memory consisting of an array of cores strung on fine wires; broadly : the internal memory of a computer e : the central part of a celestial body (as the earth or sun) usually having different physical properties from the surrounding parts f : a nodule of stone (as flint or obsidian) from which flakes have been struck for making implements g : the conducting wire with its insulation in an electric cable h : an arrangement of a course of studies that combines under basic topics material from subjects conventionally separated and aims to provide a common background for all students <core curriculum> i : the place in a nuclear reactor where fission occurs
2
a : a basic, essential, or enduring part (as of an individual, a class, or an entity) <the staff had a core of experts> <the core of her beliefs> b : the essential meaning : gist <the core of the argument> c : the inmost or most intimate part <honest to the core>
3
: a part (as a thin cylinder of material) removed from the interior of a mass especially to determine composition
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Origin of CORE
Middle English
Other Archaeology Terms
2core
verb
: to remove a core from (a fruit)
coredcor·ing
Full Definition of CORE
transitive verb
: to remove a core from <core an apple>
— cor·er noun
See core defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CORE
15th century
3core
noun
Definition of CORE
chiefly Scottish : a group of people
Origin of CORE
perhaps alteration of Middle English chore chorus, company, perhaps from Latin chorus
First Known Use: 1622
CORE
abbreviation
Definition of CORE
Congress of Racial Equality
Other Government and Politics Terms
CORES Defined for Kids
1core
noun \ˈkȯr\
Definition of CORE for Kids
1
: the usually inedible central part of some fruits (as a pineapple or pear)
2
: the central part of a heavenly body (as the earth or sun)
3
: the central or most important part of something <the core of a golf ball> <the core of a problem>
2core
verb
coredcor·ing
Definition of CORE for Kids
: to remove the core from <core an apple>
Medical Dictionary
core
noun \ˈkō(ə)r, ˈkȯ(ə)r\
Medical Definition of CORE
: the central part of a body, mass, or part
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