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

Founded by a Dutch journalist to combat child labor in West African cocoa fields, the company proves a slave-free supply chain is viable. — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

But after it was published in the literary magazine Granta, signs began to emerge that the story—about a cocoa farmer who cheated on his wife and then tried to kill her—may have been AI-generated. — Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026

Some gingerbread has been served with lemon sauce, or incorporated the zest of an orange or a little cocoa. — Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 2 July 2026

For decades, African economies have generated enormous wealth through commodities such as cobalt, cocoa, gold, oil, rubber, timber, and tea. — W. Gyude Moore, semafor.com, 2 July 2026

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

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