palate

noun

pal·​ate ˈpa-lət 

1

: the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity see hard palate, soft palate

2

a

: a usually intellectual taste or liking

too ornate for my palate

… I heard a little too much preaching … and lost my palate for it.

—George Eliot

b

: the sense of taste

serves Korean food adapted for the American palate

Examples of palate in a Sentence

The restaurant serves Korean food adapted for the American palate.

She's been working hard on a menu that will please the palates of all her guests.

Recent Examples on the Web

Crafted by Ana María Romero, one of the most respected palates in the industry, the release is a masterclass in blending. —Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Look for notes of dark chocolate, cinnamon spice, orange marmalade, and toasted coconut on the palate. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025

The best case scenario looks like a greenish tan — not unlike the color palate of the Wicked movie itself. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025

The palate brings a fusion of orange-vanilla cola and Madagascar vanilla bean, rounded out with the subtle warmth of fig biscuit. —Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin palatum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing palate

• cleanse the palate
• cleft palate
• hard palate
• soft palate

Rhymes for palate

• alate
• ballot
• fallot
• mallet
• palette
• pallet
• shallot

Kids Definition

palate

noun

pal·​ate ˈpal-ət 

1

: the roof of the mouth that separates the mouth from the nasal cavity and is made up of a bony front part and a soft flexible back part

2

: the sense of taste

Medical Definition

palate

noun

pal·​ate ˈpal-ət 

: the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity see hard palate, soft palate