cocoa

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noun co·coa \ ˈkō-(ˌ)kō \

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

Then add all the dry ingredients -flour, baking soda, cocoa powder and powdered sugar- and stir until combined properly.

— spoon u, Teen Vogue, "Quick Mug Cake Recipes That Will Leave You Drooling," 28 Aug. 2017
Transmar was created in 1980 as mainly a cocoa trader.

— isis almeida, Bloomberg.com, "The Email Subject Line That Tipped Off the Feds to Alleged Fraud Scheme," 10 Aug. 2017
Thick whipped cream, delicate lady fingers and cocoa powder conspired for a perfect meal-ender.

— anna caplan, star-telegram, "Nothing run-of-the-mill about Ristorante Mulino," 18 July 2017
Thanks to this, Ivory Coast is on its way to displace the Netherlands as the world top grinder of cocoa beans.

— kim yi dionne, Washington Post, "Is Ivory Coast seeing a second ‘economic miracle’?," 14 July 2017
Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and allspice.

— Cincinnati.com, "By request: Chocolate zucchini bread, cake," 13 July 2017
Ripe cherry and plum aromas are complemented by earthy undercurrents of smoky cocoa and cola, and highlighted by traces of citrus blossom and lemon.

— chateau ste michelle, The Seattle Times, "From grapes to glass at Chateau Ste. Michelle," 7 July 2017
The powerful benefits come from cocoa flavanols, a compound known for its health benefits.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Science Says Eating Chocolate Every Day Is Good for Your Brain," 3 July 2017
Eating cocoa also helped young and healthy adults perform better on tough cognitive tests almost immediately, although the effect was more subtle.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Science Says Eating Chocolate Every Day Is Good for Your Brain," 3 July 2017

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

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

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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

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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