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

On the palate, fresh red cherry, juicy melon, and stony minerality. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

This is a very floral gin that still has signature notes of juniper, citrus, and peppercorn on the palate, making this a good choice for a spritz or even a riff on a Martini. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 June 2025

Her husband, Robert Seibert, also marked a milestone for the state as its first pediatric otolaryngologist, and developed the cleft lip and palate program at Arkansas Children's Hospital. —Keelin Fisher, Arkansas Online, 24 June 2025

Besides its prime location in the historic city center, this Airbnb serves as a palate cleanser after a long day of exploring. —Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 23 June 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