cocoa

noun

co·​coa ˈkō-(ˌ)kō 

1

a

: powdered ground roasted cacao beans from which a portion of the fat has been removed

b

: a beverage prepared by heating cocoa with water or milk

2

: cacao sense 2

3

: a medium brown color

Examples of cocoa in a Sentence

The recipe calls for three tablespoons of cocoa.

Recent Examples on the Web

White chocolate chips, meanwhile, usually contain cocoa butter but no cocoa solids. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 June 2026

Cocoa farmers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, which provide more than half the world’s cocoa, are likely to see drought conditions dent outputs and drive global prices. — Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 24 June 2026

Aromas of leather and dusty library books join dark caramel and burnt cocoa for an altogether more tannic nose. — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Separately, the chocolate seller has also benefited from a plunge in cocoa prices. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

modification of Spanish cacao

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cocoa

• cocoa bean
• cocoa butter
• hot cocoa

Rhymes for cocoa

• koko
• loco
• poco

Kids Definition

cocoa

noun

co·​coa ˈkō-kō 

1

: a cacao tree

2

a

: powdered ground cacao beans from which some of the fat has been removed

b

: a beverage made from heating cocoa with water or milk

Medical Definition

cocoa

noun

co·​coa ˈkō-(ˌ)kō 

1

: cacao sense 2

2

a

: powdered ground roasted cacao beans from which a portion of the fat has been removed

b

: a beverage prepared by heating powdered cocoa with water or milk