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coffee

noun, often attributive cof·fee \ ˈkȯ-fē , ˈkä- \
Updated on: 15 May 2018
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Definition of coffee

1 a : a beverage made by percolation, infusion, or decoction from the roasted and ground seeds of a coffee plant
b : any of several Old World tropical plants (genus Coffea and especially C. arabica and C. canephora) of the madder family that are widely cultivated in warm regions for their seeds from which coffee is prepared
c : coffee seeds especially roasted and often ground — compare arabica, robusta
d : a dehydrated product made from brewed coffee
  • instant coffee
; also : a beverage made from this
2 : a cup of coffee
  • two coffees
3 : coffee hour

See coffee defined for English-language learners

See coffee defined for kids

Examples of coffee in a Sentence

  1. I bought a pound of coffee.

Recent Examples of coffee from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coffee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Coffee is made from the roasted and ground seeds, or beans, of the coffee plant, a tropical evergreen shrub. Two of the 25 or more species, Arabica and Robusta, supply most of the world's coffee. Arabica is grown in Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Indonesia; Robusta mainly in Africa. The shrub bears small white flowers with a jasmine-like fragrance. The fruit, which is red when mature, is called a cherry. The seed is called a bean. Coffee contains large amounts of caffeine, whose effects have always been an important element in the drink's popularity. Coffee-drinking dates from the 15th century in Arabia. It reached Europe by the 17th century and immediately became popular. Coffee is consumed by about one-third of the world's population.

Illustration of coffee

illustration of coffee

Origin and Etymology of coffee

Italian & Turkish; Italian caffè, from Turkish kahve, from Arabic qahwa

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Phrases Related to COFFEE

Related Phrases

COFFEE Defined for English Language Learners

coffee

noun

Definition of coffee for English Language Learners

  • : a dark brown drink made from ground coffee beans and boiled water

  • : coffee beans

COFFEE Defined for Kids

coffee

noun cof·fee \ ˈkȯ-fē \

Definition of coffee for Students

1 : a drink made from the roasted and ground seeds ( coffee beans ) of a tropical plant
2 : the roasted seeds of the coffee plant when whole or ground

Learn More about coffee

  1. See words that rhyme with coffee Spanish Central: Translation of coffee Nglish: Translation of coffee for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of coffee for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coffee

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Examples: coffee in a Sentence
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