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
His palate had always leaned more toward chicken fingers, pizza and fries.
—Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
My chrysanthemum tea was served with a garden of bite-sized savories and cakes—the latter delicately flavored to tease the palate—much like French patisserie.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
In person, the audience sips cocktails and witnesses top-notch side acts that cleanse the palate between improv blocks, with a mix of nationally touring stand-up, mimes, musicians and more.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
The 25-year-old single malt was initially aged in bourbon barrels and sherry butts for close to six years, then spent another 21 years in ruby port casks, resulting in a palate full of notes of fresh and dried fruit, dark chocolate, cherry syrup, and fresh citrus.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for palate
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Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
My chrysanthemum tea was served with a garden of bite-sized savories and cakes—the latter delicately flavored to tease the palate—much like French patisserie.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
In person, the audience sips cocktails and witnesses top-notch side acts that cleanse the palate between improv blocks, with a mix of nationally touring stand-up, mimes, musicians and more.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
The 25-year-old single malt was initially aged in bourbon barrels and sherry butts for close to six years, then spent another 21 years in ruby port casks, resulting in a palate full of notes of fresh and dried fruit, dark chocolate, cherry syrup, and fresh citrus.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for palate
Cite this Entry
“Palate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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
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