Kernel vs. Stone — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
A kernel is the edible, innermost part of a seed or grain, often used in cooking, while a stone is a hard, inedible pit found within fruits like peaches and cherries.
Difference Between Kernel and Stone
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A kernel is the edible part of seeds or grains like corn and wheat, providing essential nutrients. Stones, on the other hand, are inedible pits that protect the seeds of fruits like peaches or cherries.
Kernels contain significant nutritional value and are processed for food products, whereas stones generally have no direct culinary use but play a crucial role in the reproduction of the plant.
In cooking, kernels are commonly found in foods like popcorn or in bread, while stones are removed before consumption to prevent choking or dental damage.
Kernels can be pressed for oils or ground into flours, whereas stones are usually discarded, though some may contain seeds that can be planted.
Some seeds also have stones, which encase the kernels. Kernels can be accessed directly, while stones must be cracked open to reach the seeds.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The edible inner part of seeds or grains
The hard, protective pit inside certain fruits
Culinary Use
Consumed directly or processed into oils/flours
Rarely consumed; sometimes contains plantable seeds
Examples
Corn kernels, wheat kernels
Peach pits, cherry stones
Nutritional Value
High in protein, fiber, and fats
Minimal, generally inedible
Removal
Often left in foods or easily separated from husks
Removed from fruits due to hardness
Compare with Definitions
Kernel
The inner, edible part of a seed or grain.
Popcorn is made from dried corn kernels.
Stone
The hard pit or seed inside certain fruits.
Cherry stones must be removed before baking.
Kernel
A central, essential part of something.
The kernel of his argument was compelling.
Stone
A piece of rock or mineral.
He skipped stones across the lake.
Kernel
A small, crucial bit of an idea.
She found a kernel of truth in the rumor.
Stone
A gemstone used in jewelry.
Her engagement ring has a large, sparkling stone.
Kernel
A microkernel in computing, responsible for core system operations.
The system’s kernel manages device drivers.
Stone
A unit of weight, especially in the UK.
He weighed fourteen stone after his diet.
Kernel
The main component of a computer operating system.
Linux operates using the Unix-like kernel.
Stone
To pelt with stones as a form of punishment or attack.
In ancient times, people were stoned for severe crimes.
Kernel
A softer, usually edible part of a nut, seed, or fruit stone contained within its shell
The kernel of a walnut
Pine kernels
Stone
Hard solid non-metallic mineral matter of which rock is made, especially as a building material
The houses are built of stone
High stone walls
Kernel
The central or most important part of something
This is the kernel of the argument
Stone
A piece of stone shaped for a purpose, especially one of commemoration, ceremony, or demarcation
A memorial stone
Boundary stones
Kernel
A grain or seed, as of a cereal grass, enclosed in a husk.
Stone
A hard seed in a cherry, plum, peach, and some other fruits.
Kernel
The usually edible seed inside the hard covering of a nut or fruit stone.
Stone
A unit of weight equal to 14 lb (6.35 kg)
I weighed 10 stone
Kernel
The central or most important part; the core
"The kernel of his practical religion was that it was respectable, and beneficial to one's business, to be seen going to services" (Sinclair Lewis).
Stone
A natural shade of whitish or brownish-grey
Stone stretch trousers
Kernel
A small amount of something, especially when potentially developing into something else
Detected a kernel of anger in his remarks.
Stone
Throw stones at
Two people were stoned to death
Policemen were stoned by the crowd
Kernel
The core, center, or essence of an object or system.
The kernel of an argument
Stone
Remove the stone from (a fruit).
Kernel
(botany) The central (usually edible) part of a nut, especially once the hard shell has been removed.
Stone
Build, face, or pave with stone
The honey-stoned, eighteenth-century city
Kernel
(botany) A single seed or grain, especially of corn or wheat.
Stone
Concreted earthy or mineral matter; rock.
Kernel
The stone of certain fruits, such as peaches or plums.
Stone
Such concreted matter of a particular type. Often used in combination
Sandstone.
Soapstone.
Kernel
A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a nucleus; a concretion or hard lump in the flesh.
Stone
A small piece of rock.
Kernel
(computing) The central part of many computer operating systems which manages the system's resources and the communication between hardware and software components.
The Linux kernel is open-source.
Stone
A piece of rock that is used in construction
A coping stone.
A paving stone.
Kernel
(computing) The core engine of any complex software system.
Stone
A gravestone or tombstone.
Kernel
(calculus) A function used to define an integral transform.
The Dirichlet kernel convolved with a function yields its Fourier series approximation.
Stone
A grindstone, millstone, or whetstone.
Kernel
(mathematics) A set of pairs of a mapping's domain which are mapped to the same value.
Stone
A milestone or boundary.
Kernel
For a given function (especially a linear map between vector spaces), the set of elements in the domain which are mapped to zero; (formally) given f : X → Y, the set {x ∈ X : f(x) = 0}.
If a function is continuous then its kernel is a closed set.
Stone
A gem or precious stone.
Kernel
For a category with zero morphisms: the equalizer of a given morphism and the zero morphism which is parallel to that given morphism.
Stone
Something, such as a hailstone, resembling a stone in shape or hardness.
Kernel
The set of members of a fuzzy set that are fully included (i.e., whose grade of membership is 1).
Stone
(Botany) The hard covering enclosing the seed in certain fruits, such as the cherry, plum, or peach.
Kernel
(slang) The human clitoris.
Stone
(Medicine) A mineral concretion in an organ, such as the kidney or gallbladder, or other body part; a calculus.
Kernel
(chemistry) The nucleus and electrons of an atom excluding its valence electrons.
Stone
Pl. stone Abbr. st. A unit of weight in Great Britain, 14 pounds (6.4 kilograms).
Kernel
To enclose within a kernel
Stone
(Printing) A table with a smooth surface on which page forms are composed.
Kernel
To crenellate
Stone
Relating to or made of stone
A stone wall.
Kernel
The essential part of a seed; all that is within the seed walls; the edible substance contained in the shell of a nut; hence, anything included in a shell, husk, or integument; as, the kernel of a nut. See Illust. of Endocarp.
'A were as good crack a fusty nut with no kernel
Stone
Made of stoneware or earthenware.
Kernel
A single seed or grain; as, a kernel of corn.
Stone
Complete; utter. Often used in combination
A stone liar.
Stone-deaf.
Kernel
A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a nucleus; a concretion or hard lump in the flesh.
Stone
Completely; utterly
Stone cold.
Standing stone still.
Kernel
The central, substantial or essential part of anything; the gist; the core; as, the kernel of an argument.
Stone
To hurl or throw stones at, especially to kill with stones.
Kernel
To harden or ripen into kernels; to produce kernels.
Stone
To remove the stones or pits from.
Kernel
The inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone;
Black walnut kernels are difficult to get out of the shell
Stone
To furnish, fit, pave, or line with stones.
Kernel
A single whole grain of a cereal;
A kernel of corn
Stone
To rub on or with a stone in order to polish or sharpen.
Kernel
The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience;
The gist of the prosecutor's argument
The heart and soul of the Republican Party
The nub of the story
Stone
(Sports) To block a shot taken by (an opponent). Used of a goalie.
Stone
(Obsolete) To make hard or indifferent.
Stone
(uncountable) A hard earthen substance that can form large rocks.
Stone
A small piece of stone, a pebble.
Stone
A gemstone, a jewel, especially a diamond.
Stone
(British) A unit of mass equal to 14 pounds (≈6.3503 kilograms), formerly used for various commodities (wool, cheese, etc.), but now principally used for personal weight.
Stone
(botany) The central part of some fruits, particularly drupes; consisting of the seed and a hard endocarp layer.
A peach stone
Stone
(medicine) A hard, stone-like deposit.
Stone
(board games) A playing piece made of any hard material, used in various board games such as backgammon and go.
Stone
A dull light grey or beige, like that of some stones.
Stone
(curling) A 42-pound, precisely shaped piece of granite with a handle attached, which is bowled down the ice.
Stone
A monument to the dead; a gravestone or tombstone.
Stone
(obsolete) A mirror, or its glass.
Stone
(obsolete) A testicle.
Stone
A stand or table with a smooth, flat top of stone, commonly marble, on which to arrange the pages of a book, newspaper, etc. before printing.
Stone
(transitive) To pelt with stones, especially to kill by pelting with stones.
She got stoned to death after they found her.
Stone
(transitive) To wall with stones.
Stone
(transitive) To remove a stone from (fruit etc.).
Stone
(intransitive) To form a stone during growth, with reference to fruit etc.
Stone
To intoxicate, especially with narcotics. Usually in passive
Stone
To do nothing, to stare blankly into space and not pay attention when relaxing or when bored.
Stone
(transitive) To lap with an abrasive stone to remove surface irregularities.
Stone
Constructed of stone.
Stone walls
Stone
Having the appearance of stone.
Stone pot
Stone
Of a dull light grey or beige, like that of some stones.
Stone
(AAVE) Used as an intensifier.
She is one stone fox.
Stone
As a stone used with following adjective.
My father is stone deaf. This soup is stone cold.
Stone
(slang) Absolutely, completely used with following adjectives.
I went stone crazy after she left.
I said the medication made my vision temporarily blurry, it did not make me stone blind.
Stone
Concreted earthy or mineral matter; also, any particular mass of such matter; as, a house built of stone; the boy threw a stone; pebbles are rounded stones.
They had brick for stone, and slime . . . for mortar.
Stone
A precious stone; a gem.
Stone
Something made of stone. Specifically: -
Stone
The glass of a mirror; a mirror.
Lend me a looking-glass;If that her breath will mist or stain the stone,Why, then she lives.
Stone
A calculous concretion, especially one in the kidneys or bladder; the disease arising from a calculus.
Stone
A monument to the dead; a gravestone.
Should some relenting eyeGlance on the where our cold relics lie.
Stone
One of the testes; a testicle.
Stone
The hard endocarp of drupes; as, the stone of a cherry or peach. See Illust. of Endocarp.
Stone
A weight which legally is fourteen pounds, but in practice varies with the article weighed.
Stone
Fig.: Symbol of hardness and insensibility; torpidness; insensibility; as, a heart of stone.
I have not yet forgot myself to stone.
Stone
A stand or table with a smooth, flat top of stone, commonly marble, on which to arrange the pages of a book, newspaper, etc., before printing; - called also imposing stone.
Stone
To pelt, beat, or kill with stones.
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Stone
To make like stone; to harden.
O perjured woman! thou dost stone my heart.
Stone
To free from stones; also, to remove the seeds of; as, to stone a field; to stone cherries; to stone raisins.
Stone
To wall or face with stones; to line or fortify with stones; as, to stone a well; to stone a cellar.
Stone
To rub, scour, or sharpen with a stone.
Stone
A lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter;
He threw a rock at me
Stone
Material consisting of the aggregate of minerals like those making up the Earth's crust;
That mountain is solid rock
Stone is abundant in New England and there are many quarries
Stone
Building material consisting of a piece of rock hewn in a definite shape for a special purpose;
He wanted a special stone to mark the site
Stone
A crystalline rock that can be cut and polished for jewelry;
He had the gem set in a ring for his wife
She had jewels made of all the rarest stones
Stone
The hard inner (usually woody) layer of the pericarp of some fruits (as peaches or plums or cherries or olives) that contains the seed;
You should remove the stones from prunes before cooking
Stone
An avoirdupois unit used to measure the weight of a human body; equal to 14 pounds;
A heavy chap who must have weighed more than twenty stone
Stone
United States filmmaker (born in 1946)
Stone
United States feminist and suffragist (1818-1893)
Stone
United States journalist who advocated liberal causes (1907-1989)
Stone
United States jurist who served on the United States Supreme Court as Chief Justice (1872-1946)
Stone
United States architect (1902-1978)
Stone
A lack of feeling or expression or movement;
He must have a heart of stone
Her face was as hard as stone
Stone
Kill by throwing stones at;
Adulterers should be stoned according to the Koran
Stone
Remove the pits from;
Pit plums and cherries
Stone
Of any of various dull tannish-gray colors
Common Curiosities
Why are fruit stones removed?
Fruit stones are removed because they're inedible and can pose a choking hazard.
Do all fruits have stones?
No, only certain fruits like peaches, cherries, and apricots contain stones.
What is a kernel in agriculture?
In agriculture, a kernel is the edible inner part of a grain or seed.
What is a kernel in computing?
A kernel in computing is the core component of an operating system that manages system resources and hardware.
Are all kernels edible?
Not all kernels are edible; some, like apple seeds, contain toxins.
What's the difference between a nut and a stone?
A nut is a hard-shelled fruit with an edible seed, while a stone is a pit inside other fruits.
Are stones used for anything beyond gardening?
Some stones are used in crafts, like peach pits for carving or jewelry.
Are kernels different from grains?
Kernels are the edible part inside grains; grains refer to the whole harvested crop.
Can kernels be consumed directly?
Yes, kernels like corn or sunflower seeds can be consumed directly.
How do you remove stones from fruit?
Use a pitter tool, knife, or by cutting the fruit in half and extracting the stone manually.
Can stones be planted?
Yes, some stones can be planted to grow new fruit trees.
What’s the main purpose of a kernel in a seed?
A kernel provides essential nutrients for germination and plant growth.
Are kernels and seeds the same?
Not always; kernels are inside seeds or grains, while seeds contain both a kernel and outer covering.
Can fruit stones cause any health problems?
Ingesting large stones could lead to digestive issues, and some contain trace toxins.
Do all grains have kernels?
Yes, all grains contain kernels within their husks.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
