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

Look for ingredients like glycerin, cocoa or shea butter, hyaluronic acid and squalane. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 30 Oct. 2026

Wells Fargo expects shoppers to increasingly favor value packs and alternatives that use less cocoa, including gummies, sour candy, wafers and caramel. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026

Drought and heavy rains in places like West Africa have hurt cocoa harvests in recent seasons and pushed up prices worldwide. — Joe Hernandez, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

For chocolate, extreme weather and logistical issues in key sugar and cocoa-producing countries have negatively affected cost. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated October 29, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 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