cola
1 Americannoun
noun
noun
noun
abbreviation
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cost of living adjustment: an increase in benefit payments according to the rate of inflation
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cost of living allowance: extra money paid to workers in areas where the cost of living is more expensive
noun
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either of two tropical sterculiaceous trees, Cola nitida or C. acuminata, widely cultivated in tropical regions for their seeds See cola nut
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a sweet carbonated drink flavoured with cola nuts
noun
Etymology
Origin of cola
First recorded in 1885–90; spelling variant of kola, extracted from the trademark names of such drinks, as Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, etc.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He likened it to the cola wars of the 1980s—but warned it may not be a winning strategy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025
As for Coca-Cola’s rivals, both PepsiCo and Dr. Pepper have been selling their versions of cola sweetened with cane sugar in the U.S. since 2009.
From Salon • Jul. 23, 2025
Some have even said the water looks like "coca cola".
From BBC • Jun. 29, 2025
Children who consumed pure apple juice often followed a diet with more fish, fruit, green vegetables, and salad, whereas those drinking cola ate more burgers, sausages, pizza, french fries, meat, chocolate, and sweets.
From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2024
Artemis Senior was on board the ship, along with Butler’s uncle and 250,000 cans of cola.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
