cocoa

noun

co·​coa ˈkō-(ˌ)kō 

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 sense 2

3

: a medium brown color

Examples of cocoa in a Sentence

The recipe calls for three tablespoons of cocoa.

Recent Examples on the Web

Topline Hershey will soon raise its candy prices, according to multiple outlets, citing a jump in cocoa costs that have provoked the chocolate company to rethink its list prices and the quantities or weight of candy sold in each container. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

Cacao powder undergoes less processing than cocoa powder, giving it a more intense taste. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 22 July 2025

That’s because Ghana and Ivory Coast account for almost 60% of the world’s cocoa production, and the region has been hit by poor harvests due to weather exacerbated by climate change. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 22 July 2025

The cedi is up more than 40% against the dollar this year, which has helped the gold and cocoa producer to reduce its foreign debt and signaled an economic recovery. —Nana Oye Ankrah, semafor.com, 21 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

modification of Spanish cacao

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cocoa

• cocoa bean
• cocoa butter
• hot cocoa

Rhymes for cocoa

• koko
• loco
• poco
• sirocco

Kids Definition

cocoa

noun

co·​coa ˈkō-kō 

1

: a cacao tree

2

a

: powdered ground cacao beans from which some of the fat has been removed

b

: a beverage made from heating cocoa with water or milk

Medical Definition

cocoa

noun

co·​coa ˈkō-(ˌ)kō 

1

: cacao sense 2

2

a

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

b

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