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

Scientists at Mass General Brigham in Boston tracked nearly 600 adults averaging 70 years old who took either 500 milligrams of cocoa extract or a placebo every day for two years. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025

His experience ranges across coffee, cocoa, produce, textiles and floral. —Felipe Arango, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025

Dating back to 1494, the Jamaican beverage consists of cocoa shavings, milk and cinnamon, the Natural History Museum said. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes; stir in cocoa and vanilla. —Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 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