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

Two contrasting glazes—a sweet chocolate glaze and a tangy buttermilk glaze—layer smoothly over the top, while cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, and espresso powder give the pound cake its decadent flavor. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025

Because of a global cocoa shortage, confectioners are tweaking recipes so that their candies don’t contain much chocolate—or any at all. —The Atlantic Science Desk, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2025

Key Takeaways High-flavanol cocoa and dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids may help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 26 Dec. 2025

For instance, Burnett points out, cocoa production is up more than 157% since 1990. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 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