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

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary this summer, Toki’s nose features basil, green apple and honey, while the palate has grapefruit, green grapes, peppermint and thyme. —John Kell, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

The menu blended Chinese cuisine with international fare, including several Western-style dishes more suited to Trump’s famously less adventurous palate. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026

Our tasters’ palates were just as varied. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026

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

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