palate

noun

pal·​ate ˈpa-lət 

1

: the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity see hard palate, soft palate

2

a

: a usually intellectual taste or liking

too ornate for my palate

… I heard a little too much preaching … and lost my palate for it.

—George Eliot

b

: the sense of taste

serves Korean food adapted for the American palate

Examples of palate in a Sentence

The restaurant serves Korean food adapted for the American palate.

She's been working hard on a menu that will please the palates of all her guests.

Recent Examples on the Web

For those with the most exquisite and refined palates, certain candies, like Reese’s Pieces, were available chilled. —Hunter Lacey, Allure, 10 Dec. 2025

Spice up your normal cinnamon roll by perusing this list of flavors and styles to suit your particular palate. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025

Family-friendly Offerings The hotel offers connecting rooms, babysitting services, children's menus tailored to young palates, and personalized welcome amenities. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 6 Dec. 2025

Its packaging appeals to the eye as much as the liquid appeals to the palate. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin palatum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing palate

• cleanse the palate
• cleft palate
• hard palate
• soft palate

Rhymes for palate

• alate
• ballot
• fallot
• mallet
• palette
• pallet
• shallot

Kids Definition

palate

noun

pal·​ate ˈpal-ət 

1

: the roof of the mouth that separates the mouth from the nasal cavity and is made up of a bony front part and a soft flexible back part

2

: the sense of taste

Medical Definition

palate

noun

pal·​ate ˈpal-ət 

: the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity see hard palate, soft palate