palate

noun

pal·​ate ˈpa-lət How to pronounce palate (audio)
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
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
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The draw is a unique variety that grows mainly in the Kenyan highlands, the namesake Juniperus procera, which evokes an earth and spice quality that complements an aroma less green and sharp on the palate as its Euro counterparts. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2025 With a litany of sauces and spices that line the table, the soup will invite guests to blend dishes that suit their palate. Colin Wrenn, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025 The result is a 115-proof whiskey (57.5 percent ABV) that, according to the official tasting notes, has flavors like dark chocolate, blueberries, orange peel, mandarins, toasted walnuts, hazelnuts, and vanilla bean on the palate. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2025 Expanding her palate to all these different worlds that she's never tried before. Raven Brunner, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for palate

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin palatum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of palate was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Palate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palate. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

palate

noun
pal·​ate ˈpal-ət How to pronounce palate (audio)
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 How to pronounce palate (audio)
: the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity see hard palate, soft palate

More from Merriam-Webster on palate

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