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

Dutch process cocoa is also slightly darker, which contributes to the rich, concentrated chocolaty look of brownies. — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 10 July 2026

Earlier this year, five of the world's largest chocolate companies—Nestlé, Lindt & Sprüngli, Mars, Mondelēz and Hershey—incorporated a foundation in Geneva to close the living income gap for cocoa-farming households in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. — Santiago Gowland, Forbes.com, 10 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

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