coca

noun co·ca \ ˈkō-kə \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of coca

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

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Recent Examples of coca from the Web

Petro and Duque differ on almost every critical issue facing Colombia: Duque favors forcibly eradicating coca crops that have skyrocketed to record levels, whereas Petro favors substitution.

— christine armario and joshua goodman, chicagotribune.com, "Colombia set for combative presidential runoff with divisions over peace," 28 May 2018
Petro and Duque differ on almost every critical issue facing Colombia: Duque favors forcibly eradicating coca crops that have skyrocketed to record levels, whereas Petro favors substitution.

— joshua goodman, The Seattle Times, "Colombia set for combative runoff with divisions over peace," 27 May 2018
In addition, coca crops — the raw ingredient of cocaine — have increased dramatically, and new, bloody criminal groups are filling the vacuum left by the FARC.

— jim wyss, miamiherald, "'God save us from becoming Venezuela.' Colombians to vote in bitter presidential race | Miami Herald," 25 May 2018
Colombia's production of coca - the raw material for cocaine - has risen sharply, stirring concern in Washington.

— NBC News, "Colombians vote for new president with peace deal, economy at stake," 27 May 2018
Could Americans actually see a commercial coca energy drink?

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Reporting on Bolivia’s Coca Rebirth: An Interview with Jessica Camille Aguirre," 14 May 2018
But as an intoxicant, coca leaf packs no more punch than a strong cup of coffee.

— cecil adams, Chicago Reader, "Why is coca only cultivated in South America?," 11 May 2018
Tea made from coca leaves ground into powder is a legal, traditional drink in the Andean region and is used as a light stimulant like coffee or to counter the effects of altitude sickness.

— adriana leon, latimes.com, "Wave of anger spreads across Peru after star soccer player's coca tea leads to World Cup ban," 16 May 2018
Anthropologists have theorized that chewing coca may offset adverse effects of high-altitude life.

— cecil adams, Chicago Reader, "Why is coca only cultivated in South America?," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coca.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of coca

Spanish, from Quechua kuka

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1577

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

coca

noun co·ca \ ˈkō-kə \

medical Definition of coca

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