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

The palate is smooth and layered, with roasted agave, honey, baking spices, eucalyptus, mineral notes, and gentle oak sweetness. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

High-end steaks include a center cut filet mignon and A5 Japanese rib cap, and seafood options such as a Maine Lobster Pot Pie and red snapper baked in grape leaves tempt the palate. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026

Extremely smooth on the palate, its flavors of blackberry, dark plum, cinnamon, and nutmeg are set into a sheath of plush tannins that gently drop off into a slightly drying finish. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 28 May 2026

Expanding your palate isn’t a one-and-done project. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 28 May 2026

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