coffee

noun, often attributive cof·fee \ ˈkȯ-fē , ˈkä- \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

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

I bought a pound of coffee.

Recent Examples of coffee from the Web

Attentive concierge service, daily delivery of Starbucks coffee and a newspaper to your room, valet parking for your visitors, Wi-Fi, and a Wellness Spa are just a few of the many services offered during a stay at Whitehall of Deerfield.

— chicagotribune.com, "The importance of a second opinion," 15 Apr. 2018
Here a foursome of male retirees drink coffee and chitchat with unemployed job seekers like Rusty, recently ejected from Wall Street and now on a personal mission that may also be a financial boondoggle.

— michelle wildgen, New York Times, "The Turbulent Life of the Small-Town Librarian," 13 Apr. 2018
The beverage menu includes coffee and espresso, tea and herbs.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "FOLK cafe and coffee shop now open in Corktown," 12 Apr. 2018
He will be missed for sure by his buddies at La Florentina pastry shop for coffee and conversations.

— courant.com, "Robert J. Barba," 12 Apr. 2018
Around 80% of the island’s agricultural crop was destroyed, including coffee and banana plantations that will take years to regrow.

— The Economist, "America has let down its Puerto Rican citizens," 12 Apr. 2018
April Lunch Menu: All lunches are $3.50 and include dessert, coffee or tea and cold beverages.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Locks Edition," 10 Apr. 2018
The bakery will also offer gift certificates and all occasion gift baskets, which will be cross-merchandised with specialties of The Appleseed Bakery, as well as novelty coffee and tea accessories.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New bakery that would specialize in made from scratch treats would open in former Peet's Coffee location in Wauwatosa," 10 Apr. 2018
Amenities within the roughly 30,000-square-foot store include a coffee and juice bar, salad bar, sushi counter, deli and indoor and outdoor dining areas.

— jennifer mcclellan, azcentral, "Sprouts Farmers Market opens April 11 in Scottsdale as 'new engine' of Shops Gainey Village," 10 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of coffee

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1598

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

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

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

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up coffee? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

coffee

Definition of coffee

Examples of coffee in a Sentence

Recent Examples of coffee from the Web

Did You Know?

Illustration of coffee

Origin and Etymology of coffee

Other Food Terms

COFFEE Defined for English Language Learners

coffee

Definition of coffee for English Language Learners

COFFEE Defined for Kids

coffee

Definition of coffee for Students

Learn More about coffee

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

True or False?

Citation

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

coffee

Definition of coffee

Examples of coffee in a Sentence

Recent Examples of coffee from the Web

Did You Know?

Illustration of coffee

Origin and Etymology of coffee

Other Food Terms

Phrases Related to COFFEE

Related Phrases

COFFEE Defined for English Language Learners

coffee

Definition of coffee for English Language Learners

COFFEE Defined for Kids

coffee

Definition of coffee for Students

Learn More about coffee

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes