coca

noun

co·​ca ˈkō-kə 

1

: any of several South American shrubs (genus Erythroxylon, family Erythroxylaceae)

especially : one (E. coca) that is the primary source of cocaine

2

: dried leaves of a coca (especially Erythroxylon coca) containing alkaloids including cocaine

Examples of coca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cultivation of coca leaves in Colombia increased 10% in 2023 from the previous year, while potential cocaine production reached a record of more than 2,600 metric tons, a 53% increase, the United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crime said in October. —Edward Szekeres, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025

The conflict centers on control of the strategically significant Catatumbo region, known for its coca plantations and drug trafficking routes. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025

Former president Juan Manuel Santos, for instance, made great efforts to reach a deal with the ELN before leaving office, and coca substitution is an anchor of Colombia’s 2016 peace accord. —Ivan Briscoe, Foreign Affairs, 19 June 2022

Rural reform projects, such as a crop substitution program for coca and programs to help small farmers access land, moved at snail’s pace. —Elizabeth Dickinson, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua kuka

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

coca

noun

co·​ca ˈkō-kə 

: a South American shrub with leaves that are the source of cocaine

also : its dried leaves

Medical Definition

coca

noun

co·​ca ˈkō-kə 

1

: any of several South American shrubs (genus Erythroxylon of the family Erythroxylaceae)

especially : one (E. coca) that is the primary source of cocaine

2

: dried leaves of a coca (as Erythroxylon coca) containing alkaloids including cocaine