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 point of all this is to push yourself to expand your palate and attune to the things that feel vibrant and alive for you right now. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026

In a July Facebook post, the hot chicken franchise told the KC suburb their palates were about to change. — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026

There are noticeable notes of brown sugar, molasses, honey, and toasted almond that kick off the palate, along with a cabinet full of baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2026

If early hints hold true, Yemnella will bring a warmth and depth that expands Des Moines’ coffee palate in a new direction. — Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 18 Sep. 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