cocoa

noun

co·​coa ˈkō-(ˌ)kō 

1

a

: powdered ground roasted cacao beans from which a portion of the fat has been removed

b

: a beverage prepared by heating cocoa with water or milk

2

: cacao sense 2

3

: a medium brown color

Examples of cocoa in a Sentence

The recipe calls for three tablespoons of cocoa.

Recent Examples on the Web

On the nose, the Tequila features cocoa, butterscotch, cooked agave, and herbal hints of tobacco leaf. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

In actuality, the delicious treat is made of vanilla ice cream coated with cocoa powder to create the illusion, paying homage to the state's signature export. —Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 1 May 2025

Brewed coffee punches up the cocoa in the cake while coffee liqueur infuses the glaze with equally rich flavor. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025

As of April 16, the price of cocoa is $8,400 per ton, up from prices that hovered in the $2,000 range at the same time in 2023. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

modification of Spanish cacao

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cocoa

• cocoa bean
• cocoa butter
• hot cocoa

Rhymes for cocoa

• koko
• loco
• poco
• sirocco

Kids Definition

cocoa

noun

co·​coa ˈkō-kō 

1

: a cacao tree

2

a

: powdered ground cacao beans from which some of the fat has been removed

b

: a beverage made from heating cocoa with water or milk

Medical Definition

cocoa

noun

co·​coa ˈkō-(ˌ)kō 

1

: cacao sense 2

2

a

: powdered ground roasted cacao beans from which a portion of the fat has been removed

b

: a beverage prepared by heating powdered cocoa with water or milk