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

Shoppers should expect the cost of some essential Easter basket items, like a big chocolate bunny, to be higher this year, despite a dip in cocoa prices over the past several months. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026

Avoid toxic cocoa mulch and colored mulches — essentially colored bark chips. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026

The experience concludes with desserts including carrot patch dream cake and a cocoa cherry bunny, with optional additions like caviar service and oysters on the half-shell available for an extra indulgent touch. —Imelda García, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026

The sugar crystals never fully melt, creating a grainy texture and intense cocoa flavor that earned Europe's first PGI for chocolate in 2018. —Jenn Rice, Vogue, 18 Mar. 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