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
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
Getty Images Through Venice, European palates encountered a broader spectrum of flavors—richer, sweeter, and more exotic than the rustic wines of their own countryside.
—Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Expand your palate with foods representing Haiti, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Guyana and more.
—Loán Lake, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
The chefs have clearly helped Miami diners expand their palates, serving unusual dishes that could potentially make diners uneasy, like the ballyhoo, which Martinez said should return to the menu once the season starts in a few weeks.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
The list that follows leans mostly toward dives with history, little gems that cater to a wider range of ages and offer more to the palate than cheap beer.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for palate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Expand your palate with foods representing Haiti, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Guyana and more.
—Loán Lake, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
The chefs have clearly helped Miami diners expand their palates, serving unusual dishes that could potentially make diners uneasy, like the ballyhoo, which Martinez said should return to the menu once the season starts in a few weeks.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
The list that follows leans mostly toward dives with history, little gems that cater to a wider range of ages and offer more to the palate than cheap beer.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for palate
Cite this Entry
“Palate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palate. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share