cocoa

noun co·coa \ ˈkō-(ˌ)kō \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Examples: cocoa in a Sentence

Definition of cocoa

1 a : powdered ground roasted cacao beans from which a portion of the fat has been removed

b : a beverage prepared by heating cocoa with water or milk

2 : cacao 2

3 : a medium brown color

See cocoa defined for English-language learners

See cocoa defined for kids

Examples of cocoa in a Sentence

The recipe calls for three tablespoons of cocoa.

Recent Examples of cocoa from the Web

Sneak them into the food processor with cocoa powder and whip up a creamy mousse dessert in less than 5 minutes.

— terri milligan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Keep your cool: No-heat cooking keeps you comfortable and the food fresh," 5 July 2018
Almond flour, maple syrup, cocoa powder, ghee, and an egg. Topped with chocolate chips, banana and maple syrup toasted coconut chips.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "Danica Patrick shares her favorite dessert recipes, plus which one Aaron Rodgers loves," 21 June 2018
Ghana regularly sells 182-day cocoa bills to shore up its finances.

— ekow dontoh, Bloomberg.com, "Ghana Cocoa Body to Sell $556 Million of Debt, End Subsidies," 30 Jan. 2018
Even so, the economy of the world’s largest cocoa producer expanded 7.8 percent last year and is forecast to increase 7.3 percent this year.

— pauline bax, Bloomberg.com, "Ivory Coast’s President Suggests He May Run Again, Sparking Concern," 4 June 2018
Inside Crunchy Raspberry is a regular rice crisp center, while the Crunchy Espresso and Crunchy Mint rice crisp centers are cocoa.

— collier sutter, PEOPLE.com, "M&M's Is Rolling Out 3 New Flavors—But It's Up to Fans to Decide Which One Stays on Shelves," 7 Mar. 2018
Four Sigmatic is a Finnish company that blends various medicinal mushrooms with coffee, cocoa, tea, and/or various herbs to produce a variety of beverages that supposedly will increase your productivity, energy, immunity, and beauty.

— nutrition diva monica reinagel, Scientific American, "Mushroom Coffee: The Science Behind the Trend," 23 June 2018
Ingredients include Calabrian citrus and Peruvian balsam in Sur La Route, while oud, cocoa, saffron and incense are in Nouveau Monde.

— kavita daswani, latimes.com, "The Westside and Everafter open in Santa Monica, Thalé Blanc offers L.A.-style backpacks at new store," 8 June 2018
At least Luna & Larry lists organic coconut milk first, along with other organic ingredients like organic fair trade cocoa, making it a better choice for those more conscious about the quality and origin of an ice cream's ingredients.

— lisa drayer, CNN, "The scoop on dairy-free 'ice creams'," 8 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of cocoa

modification of Spanish cacao

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1730

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

COCOA Defined for English Language Learners

cocoa

noun

Definition of cocoa for English Language Learners

: a brown powder made from roasted cocoa beans that is used to give a chocolate flavor to foods
: a hot drink of milk or water mixed with cocoa

COCOA Defined for Kids

cocoa

noun co·coa \ ˈkō-kō \

Definition of cocoa for Students

1 : a brown powder that is made from the roasted seeds ( cocoa beans ) of the cacao tree after some of its fat is removed and that is used to make chocolate

2 : a hot drink made from cocoa powder mixed with water or milk