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

Falling cocoa prices have, paradoxically, led to falling profits for the world’s largest chocolate maker. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 17 Apr. 2026

For chocolate lovers, try adding a little cocoa powder to the oats before soaking overnight. —Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 17 Apr. 2026

Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Brownie Fudgy texture, nice amount of cocoa, and not too sweet, but a bit of an artificial aftertaste. —Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Swiss chocolate maker Barry Callebaut on Thursday slashed its operating profit forecast, citing falling cocoa prices, industry overcapacity and potential supply disruption linked to the Iran war. —Hugh Leask,sam Meredith, CNBC, 16 Apr. 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
• 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