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 official tasting notes describe crisp oak, sweet vanilla, and candied fruit on the nose, followed by ripe berries, honey, and caramel on the palate, finishing with cherry and creamy barrel tones. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 May 2026

The notes of apple, thyme and flavors of honey cleanse the palate between bites. —Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026

No side that defends this badly from front to back can hope for European qualification through the Premier League next season, and humiliation against Manchester City in the FA Cup final looks a far likelier outcome than a palate-cleansing triumph. —Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 May 2026

Delicious yet tame enough for all palates. —Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 2 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