maize
[C/U] Both
This term is predominantly used in scientific, agricultural, or international trade contexts. It carries a technical and formal weight, often appearing in reports about crop yields or botanical studies rather than in casual kitchen conversation. While it refers to the same plant as corn, using maize often signals a global perspective. In the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth nations, it specifically distinguishes the crop from sweetcorn, which is grown for consumption, whereas maize is often viewed as a staple grain for flour or animal feed.
Countable when referring to the individual plants in a field. Uncountable when referring to the grain as a food source or crop.