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cocoa palm

cocoa palm

4.0
A tall tropical palm tree that grows coconuts
  • noun
  • /ˈkoʊkoʊ pɑːlm/
translation icon : palma de coco
  • The cocoa palm is essential for the local economy, providing both food and materials for many residents.

Examples

  • The beach was lined with tall cocoa palms swaying gently in the breeze.

  • Farmers harvest coconuts from the cocoa palm to produce oil and other products.

  • The cocoa palm thrives in warm, coastal areas with plenty of sunlight.

  • The cocoa palm grows tall in tropical climates.

  • Many cocoa palms can be found in Hawaii.

  • The tropical beach was lined with tall cocoa palms swaying gently in the breeze.

  • Farmers harvest coconuts from the cocoa palms that grow in abundance on this island.

Synonyms

palm
vscocoa palm
116 1.8

A tall tropical tree with one trunk and large fan-shaped leaves

is the narrower cultivated species producing large hard-shelled fruits not any family member
palm tree
vscocoa palm
46 1.0

A tall tree with one straight trunk and big leaves at the top

is a specific kind that bears large hard-shelled fruits not any such tree
coconut
vscocoa palm
23 1.0

A tall tropical palm tree that grows large hard fruits

is the botanical tree term focusing on the plant rather than the fruit image
coconut tree
vscocoa palm
4 1.0

A tall tropical palm that grows coconuts near the coast

is typically cultivated widely throughout tropical regions rather than being only coastal
coco
vscocoa palm
2 2.6

A tall palm tree that grows a large round fruit with a hard shell in tropical places

is the neutral formal term rather than the short informal label
coconut palm
vscocoa palm
1 2.7

A tall tropical palm tree that grows coconuts

is the everyday shorter label used in ordinary speech
Cocos nucifera
vscocoa palm
  • Specialized
6.8

A tall tropical palm tree that produces coconuts

is the common term used instead of the scientific one
coco palm
vscocoa palm
3.4

A tall tropical palm tree that grows coconuts

is the general label used across regions rather than a variant name

Surface Forms

cocoa palm singular
cocoa palms plural

Morphology

cocoa + palm

The compound is not transparently built: 'cocoa' normally refers to cacao/chocolate (or the cacao tree), not coconuts, so a B1 learner who knows 'cocoa' and 'palm' would not infer 'a palm bearing coconuts'. The form appears non-compositional or possibly erroneous (likely intended 'coconut palm'), making the intended meaning unpredictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Cocoa palm likely comes from the old word coco, meaning 'head', because a coconut's three small holes look like a face. So the palm is the tree that makes those 'coco' nuts, which is why cocoa palm means 'a palm tree that bears coconuts'.