coca

noun

co·ca | \ ˈkō-kə

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

Examples of coca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The soaring coca levels have tested traditionally close ties with the United States. — Manuel Rueda, The Seattle Times, "Incoming Colombia president faces long list of challenges," 6 Aug. 2018 The coca surge comes as the number of new cocaine users and overdose deaths continues to rise dramatically in the United States. — Washington Post, "US report: Colombia coca production surges to record high," 26 June 2018 And despite the Colombian government’s effort to eradicate the plant, coca cultivation is at an all-time high. — Johnny Harris, Vox, "Why Colombia is losing the cocaine war," 18 Dec. 2018 Drug use and cartels surround the cocaine trade, but there’s another side of the story: the families in rural Colombia that rely on the coca leaf as their only means of income. — Johnny Harris, Vox, "Why Colombia is losing the cocaine war," 18 Dec. 2018 The drug comes from the leaf of the coca plant, which is harvested and processed in the country. — Johnny Harris, Vox, "Why Colombia is losing the cocaine war," 18 Dec. 2018 As in years past, the bulk of coca production in 2017 was concentrated in Colombia's southern region. — Cesar Garcia, Fox News, "UN says Colombia's coca production surges to record high," 19 Sep. 2018 The country has a record-breaking 695 square miles of its territory dedicated to coca production, the government announced this week. — Jim Wyss, miamiherald, "Ivan Duque beats former guerrilla to win Colombia's presidential election," 17 June 2018 Several dogs have been killed while helping officers eradicate coca crops. — Manuel Rueda, Fox News, "Extraordinary drug dog worries Colombian cartel," 27 July 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.

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21 May 2019

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The first known use of coca was in 1577

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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