Corn vs. Maize

This can be taken as two words which are different from each other just like the ones which belong to American and British English, but there is so much more to them. Therefore, the main difference between Corn and Maize is that Corn is a North American cereal that is produced from kernels that are set in the rows on a cob and is used for an individual type of grain which is in the cooked form.

Maize, on the other hand, is mostly found in North American regions and is a plant that has large seeds that are set on a cob and is considered to be raw.  In short, the only difference is which form of English we are using. Word “corn” has many meanings depending upon the geographical regions.

Comparison Chart

Basis	Corn	Maize
Definition	It is found in European regions and is a plant that has large grains that are set on a cob.	It is a North American cereal that is produced from kernels which are set in the rows on a cob.
Language	British English	American English
Fame	More famous in European Country	More famous in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
Origin	In the 19th century, from Maize.	In the 14th century from Taino language.
Usage	Small items can include any kind of grain or even peppercorn.	A tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears.
Cooking	An alternative word for maize which is cooked properly.	An alternative word for corn which is still raw.

What is Corn?

Although it is considered to be the other form of the famous maize, that is not true in all cases. This explanation can be true in some cases, but basically, it is a North American cereal which is produced from kernels that are set in the rows on a cob. It is also used in British English for something that is relatively small in size.

The word has been originated from the Germanic and Dutch words Korn and Koren and then integrated into the English language as Corn. It is a term which is used for something that is sentimental towards a person and not just the thing we like to eat. It can also be said that corn is considered as a synonym of the word maize or is used for the same thing in British English. It is used to point out the small items which can include any kind of grain or even peppercorn.

It is considered as multiple forms when it comes to grains but is used as a single entity when being employed in other units. This term is used less around the world because of the spread of American English and is one of the rare words which are not original. It is also utilized for a crop which is used as cereal in England and Scotland and in some cases, used as an alternative word for wheat grains or oats. It is frequently used for maize when it is available in the cooked form and also for agricultural purposes.

What is Maize?

This is the most technical term for the word corn and has been originated from the Spanish word Maiz which was integrated into the English language in the mid-16^th century. It is mostly found in North American regions and is a plant that has large grains that are set on a cob.

There are multiple products which can be produced from this plant for human and animals. The primary use of this word is when the grains on the cob are in the original form, when they are not cooked and raw they are referred as maize and when they are cooked or ready to be eaten then they are called corn. This term is most common in countries like New Zealand, Canada, and the United States where maize is directly considered a direct synonym of corn. It is not very common for food items, though. This term is common around the world and is a formal term that has a proper international application because of its various uses across the globe.

It is the most consumed cereal in the world because of the fulfillment and the nutrition it provides. Most people like to eat it on its own, but in some cases, they also order it along with dried or fried chicken or as a part of a salad. This word was first used for Zea Mays, which is a plant found in most American regions. It is the oldest world utilized for this purpose and was first used in 1492 when Columbus found it among the Taino people and therefore is the original of both the words maize and corn.

Key Differences between Corn and Maize

1. The word corn is mostly used in British English while the term Maize is mainly used in American English.
2. Word “corn” has many meanings depending upon the geographical regions.
3. Word Corn can be defined as a word which is used to point out the small items which can include any kind of grain or even peppercorn. While maize is a tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears.
4. Corn is a crop which is produced in the United Kingdom while Maize is widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times.
5. Maize is the original word used for this type of crop while Corn is an alternative name introduced later.
6. Maize is a term that is utilized for the plant which is not cooked or still raw on the branches of the cob while corn is the word which is used for the maize which has been cooked and ready to eat.
7. Word Maize is common in countries like New Zealand, Canada, and the United States while Corn is common in European countries.