cocoa

noun co·coa \ ˈkō-(ˌ)kō \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 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

Flavor boosters: Flavorful sprinkles include cocoa powder, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and unsweetened matcha powder.

— samantha cassetty, NBC News, "How to build a better smoothie, according to a nutritionist," 26 May 2018
The probe is coming from the finance ministry, which suspects that supermarket chain Intermarché may have broken French consumer law by overly discounting the hazelnut-and-cocoa spread.

— david meyer, Fortune, "France's Nutella 'Riots' Have Prompted a Government Investigation," 30 Jan. 2018
This incredibly silky wine had jammy fruit, including blackberry and plum, plus floral notes, spice, cocoa powder, black pepper and 15.1 percent alcohol.

— michael austin, chicagotribune.com, "15 zinfandels to drink with whatever meat you're grilling," 23 May 2018
Add flour, cocoa powder, salt, yeast and pâte fermentée.

— amy dewall dadmun, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Revolving door' of summer visitors calls for special food," 19 May 2018
Whisk flour, remaining confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and ½ teaspoon salt in large bowl.

— eva katz, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipes: Soft, crisp pancakes with rhubarb, salmon, or chocolate," 11 May 2018
Dark chocolate is rich in cocoa solids, which contain compounds known as flavanols.

— lisa drayer, CNN, "Is dark chocolate healthy?," 8 Mar. 2018
White chocolate, on the other hand, has almost no cocoa solids.

— linda searing, Washington Post, "The Big Number: $22 billion a year on chocolate. Is that healthy?," 10 Feb. 2018
Their sweetness is the perfect counterpart to the more bitter notes of the cocoa powder.

— charlotte druckman, sacbee, "In a churn of events, salted butter is back | The Sacramento Bee," 8 May 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

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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