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

Lippert allegedly supplied gloves, chocolate, flowers and cigarettes and helped sharpen the knife in a school bathroom in support of the murder plot, according to prosecutors. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026

Australian wines made from 100 percent Shiraz are often full-on powerhouses, from the first scents of blackberry, blueberry, violet, spice, and black pepper to tastes of black cherry, cassis, jalapeño, chocolate, and espresso that lead to a long, chewy finish. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026

Chocolate Frosting For chocolate frosting, in a medium saucepan heat salted butter and unsweetened chocolate, cut up, over low until melted. —Maddy Bendgen, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026

Be sure to save room for the chocolate banana cake, and wash everything down with a cocktail or two. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 12 Mar. 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