coca

noun

co·​ca ˈkō-kə 

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 ceremony took place near the town of La Hormiga which is surrounded by vast fields of coca bushes, the raw material for cocaine that the Border Commandos export. —John Otis, NPR, 21 June 2026

Morales has been entrenched in his coca-growing stronghold in the Chapare region since 2024 and has refused to appear before the courts. —ABC News, 21 June 2026

According to El Espectador, Cepeda has explained that most farmers plant coca crops not out of choice but due to a lack of available resources. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 1 June 2026

Approximately 260,000 hectares are dedicated to coca leaf cultivation. —Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua kuka

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for coca

• boca
• bocca
• broca
• cloaca
• loca
• phoca
• tapioca

Kids Definition

coca

noun

co·​ca ˈkō-kə 

: a South American shrub with leaves that are the source of cocaine

also : its dried leaves

Medical Definition

coca

noun

co·​ca ˈkō-kə 

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