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

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

For Chicago palates in particular, that still means meat to some degree. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Flying may not be the time or place to be adventurous with your palate, but passengers can, at the very least, take comfort in knowing that their food options are handled with the utmost care and attention. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 12 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