seed corn

• Grão ou sementes reservados para plantio na próxima safra, em vez de serem consumidos ou vendidos; também usado em sentido figurado para algo guardado como recurso para crescimento ou desenvolvimento futuro.

Grain or seeds that are kept for planting in the next season rather than being consumed or sold; also used figuratively to refer to something that is preserved as a resource for future growth or development.

1. Literal: Grain for plantingB1formal

   Grain, especially corn, that is kept for sowing in the next season rather than being consumed or sold.

   Milho para semente

   • Farmers carefully store seed corn for the spring planting.
   • The drought destroyed most of the seed corn this year.
   • They selected the best ears of corn to use as seed corn.

2. Figurative: Future resourceC1formalbritish

   Something that is preserved or invested now to ensure future success, growth, or profit.

   Semente do futuro

   • Investing in education is eating our seed corn for the future.
   • The company cut its research budget, risking its seed corn.
   • Short-term profits were prioritized over protecting the seed corn of innovation.