chocolate

noun

choc·​o·​late ˈchä-k(ə-)lət  ˈchȯ- 

1

: a food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans

The cake recipe calls for four squares of chocolate.

2

: a small candy with a center (such as a fondant) and a chocolate coating

gave her a box of chocolates

3

: a beverage made by mixing chocolate with water or milk

The boy stirred the chocolate before drinking it.

4

: a brownish gray

The bird's plumage was a shade of chocolate.

chocolate adjective

Examples of chocolate in a Sentence

The cake recipe calls for four squares of chocolate.

She gave me a box of chocolates for my birthday.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Sense of Luxor treatment includes a detoxifying mud or nourishing chocolate wrap, followed by a reflexology sessions and a relaxing aromatherapy massage. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

This recipe from The Times’ Daniel Hernandez calls for water and a half-cup of milk to give the chocolate a bit of body. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

And Brown Sugar Bakery bakes the iconic cupcakes, including the caramel and the Obama with red velvet, chocolate and yellow cake layers, vanilla cream cheese frosting, finished in chocolate and pecans. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Treat your giftee to 24 days of chocolate with this indulgent advent cal. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Nahuatl chocolātl, probably an alteration of eastern Nahuatl dialect chikolātl, from chikolli hook (probably used to refer to the beater used to mix chocolate with water) + ātl water, liquid

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing chocolate

• baker's chocolate
• baking chocolate
• chocolate-box
• chocolate chip cookie
• chocolate milk
• dark chocolate
• hot chocolate
• milk chocolate
• plain chocolate
• sweet chocolate
• white chocolate

Kids Definition

chocolate

noun

choc·​o·​late ˈchäk-(ə-)lət  ˈchȯk- 

1

: a beverage of chocolate in water or milk

2

: a food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans

3

: a candy made of or coated with chocolate

4

: a brownish gray

chocolate adjective