chocolate

noun

choc·​o·​late ˈchä-k(ə-)lət  ˈchȯ- 

1

: a beverage made by mixing chocolate with water or milk

The boy stirred the chocolate before drinking it.

2

: a food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans

The cake recipe calls for four squares of chocolate.

3

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

gave her a box of chocolates

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

Thankfully, no nighttime cookies or chocolates await kids to destroy little appetites, and their folks’ patience. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026

Top with a mix of chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026

In addition to the classics, like chocolate chip, snickerdoodle and oatmeal raisin, the shop also offers a rotating menu of innovative cookie creations, milkshakes and more. —Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Feb. 2026

The regular chocolate milk bottles were distributed to six stores in New Jersey and the 2% milk was sold at seven stores in New Jersey. —Joe Brandt, CBS News, 19 Feb. 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 1

Phrases Containing chocolate

• baker's chocolate
• baking chocolate
• chocolate-box
• chocolate chip cookie
• 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