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 15 was aged in Oloroso barrels and bottled at 46 percent ABV, with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, raisin, and fig on the palate followed by a warm, lingering finish. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2026

More people are willing to expand their palates with more unique flavors, which have seen notable growth in recent years. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026

The cousins hope Kansas Citians stop by and expand their palate. —Jenna Thompson april 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026

These light and crispy squares have a delightful crunch, plus they’re coated with cinnamon-sugar dust that delivers instant cinnamon goodness on the palate. —Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 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