coca

noun

co·​ca ˈkō-kə 

1

: any of several South American shrubs (genus Erythroxylon, family Erythroxylaceae)

especially : one (E. coca) that is the primary source of cocaine

2

: dried leaves of a coca (especially Erythroxylon coca) containing alkaloids including cocaine

Examples of coca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Almost all coca crops – the main ingredient of cocaine – are concentrated in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. —Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025

The palate shows notes of cassis, coca nib and black cherry. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

In their drug lab, buyers purchase coca paste on site, while potential food crops lack market access due to poor roads that increase transport costs and damage produce during the journey. —Bram Ebus, Time, 20 Aug. 2025

Bags of coca leaves—a sacred plant in Andean culture—are passed around in the strengthening sun. —David Nolan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua kuka

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for coca

• boca
• bocca
• broca
• cloaca
• loca
• phoca
• tapioca

Kids Definition

coca

noun

co·​ca ˈkō-kə 

: a South American shrub with leaves that are the source of cocaine

also : its dried leaves

Medical Definition

coca

noun

co·​ca ˈkō-kə 

1

: any of several South American shrubs (genus Erythroxylon of the family Erythroxylaceae)

especially : one (E. coca) that is the primary source of cocaine

2

: dried leaves of a coca (as Erythroxylon coca) containing alkaloids including cocaine