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

The traditional gooey, custard-like filling gets an addition of cocoa powder while a layer semi-sweet chocolate chips lines the bottom of the prepared crust. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025

Stick to moderate amounts, like a small handful of almonds or a bit of dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025

The United States barely produces any cocoa, so his company imports it from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Uganda. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025

That's because harvests of cocoa have come up short for three years straight. —Alina Selyukh, NPR, 24 Oct. 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