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

Ugly Baby was one of the rare spots in the city that didn’t hold back on heat like many in America do to appease Western palates and milder heat tolerances. — Ali Domrongchai, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026

Volume 6 is really all about those peach brandy barrels, which have really taken pole position on the palate. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2026

On the palate, expect roasted nuts, ginger, dark sugar, and blackcurrant, with a cooling hint of menthol. — Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2026

Even the Aperol Spritz is too bitter for some palates, and can be a particular shock to younger people graduating from sweeter stuff. — M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 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