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
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
There is truly a calendar for everyone, and every palate, on your shopping list!
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The whisky is lovely despite its age (remember, sometimes older whiskies are not actually that good), with notes of caramel, licorice, mango, apple, berry, cinnamon, and a slight wisp of smoke on the palate.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2025
Chocolate is different from other sweets, imbued with properties that reach beyond the palate.
—Aleksandra Crapanzano, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
Local musicians entertain guests every evening, while a menu of international classics—prepared with local ingredients, many of which come from the on-site garden—will satisfy any palate.
—Kate Van Dyke, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for palate
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Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The whisky is lovely despite its age (remember, sometimes older whiskies are not actually that good), with notes of caramel, licorice, mango, apple, berry, cinnamon, and a slight wisp of smoke on the palate.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2025
Chocolate is different from other sweets, imbued with properties that reach beyond the palate.
—Aleksandra Crapanzano, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
Local musicians entertain guests every evening, while a menu of international classics—prepared with local ingredients, many of which come from the on-site garden—will satisfy any palate.
—Kate Van Dyke, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for palate
Cite this Entry
“Palate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
palate
noun
pal·ate
ˈpal-ət 
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
: the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity see hard palate, soft palate
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