corn crib
A slatted shed for drying and storing ears of corn.
Also called corncrib.
Updated September 21, 2026
corn crib pronunciation
/KORN krib/
Meaning
Farm outbuilding built to hold field corn after harvest. Walls have gaps so air can dry the ears, and the floor sits up off the ground to slow down rats. Feed for hogs and cattle, meal for the kitchen, seed for next year — that's what lived in the crib.
How folks use it
- “Haul that wagon load over to the corn crib before it rains.”
- “There's still a little corn left in the crib for the chickens.”
Origin and etymology
Crib is an old word for a manger or rack. American farmers applied corn crib to ventilated storage buildings for maize. Log and frame cribs have dotted Southern and Appalachian farms since the 1700s; steel mesh bins mostly replaced them later.
Frequently asked questions
Why are corn crib walls open?
So air can dry the ears and keep mold from taking over.