plural paletas
: a Mexican ice pop typically made with chunks of fresh fruit and fruit puree blended with sugar and water or sometimes cream
Though the exact origin story of this tasty treat is unknown, paletas are a popular snack-slash-dessert in Mexico as well as in the United States. They're typically made with fresh fruit like watermelon, pineapple, mango, and strawberries, but their base can vary depending on the region or time of year.—
Maki Yazawa
Maki YazawaSummer is the taste of barbecues and the smell of newly mown mint and the ringing of paleta carts in the road.—Jane Gargas
Jane GargasExamples of paleta in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cool off with a mangonada or paleta from one of the vendors before browsing the boutiques, jewelry shops, and bakeries.
—Kat Stinson, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026
Umbrella Creamery has a rotating menu that boasts artisanal ice cream, Mexican-style paleta popsicles, falooda and milkshakes, according to the creamery’s website.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The ladies, who looked to be staying at the Miami Beach Edition Hotel, hung out by the ocean eating Morelia paletas (aka ice pops), then lit up our fine-dining scene.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Some of the sculptures, from his I.C.E. Scream series, depicted large paletas, or ice pops, and referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 13 Feb. 2026
In the Tri-Valley Area, there is an Ice Cream Trail with more than a dozen creameries and dairy shops serving scoops, gelato and paletas; there’s also a Caffeine Trail for coffeehouses and tea rooms and a Beer Trail for breweries and tap houses.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Morelia Paletas recently opened there, as well, bringing another location in Charlotte to customize its fruity Mexican paletas with dips and toppings.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
Raquel, 10, lives in Kansas City, where her parents run a shop that sells paletas.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Raquel lives in Kansas City, where her parents run a shop that sells paletas.
—Staff Author, Parents, 17 Sep. 2025
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Kat Stinson, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026
Umbrella Creamery has a rotating menu that boasts artisanal ice cream, Mexican-style paleta popsicles, falooda and milkshakes, according to the creamery’s website.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The ladies, who looked to be staying at the Miami Beach Edition Hotel, hung out by the ocean eating Morelia paletas (aka ice pops), then lit up our fine-dining scene.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Some of the sculptures, from his I.C.E. Scream series, depicted large paletas, or ice pops, and referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 13 Feb. 2026
In the Tri-Valley Area, there is an Ice Cream Trail with more than a dozen creameries and dairy shops serving scoops, gelato and paletas; there’s also a Caffeine Trail for coffeehouses and tea rooms and a Beer Trail for breweries and tap houses.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Morelia Paletas recently opened there, as well, bringing another location in Charlotte to customize its fruity Mexican paletas with dips and toppings.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
Raquel, 10, lives in Kansas City, where her parents run a shop that sells paletas.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Raquel lives in Kansas City, where her parents run a shop that sells paletas.
—Staff Author, Parents, 17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paleta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paleta. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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