Pate is a French term that refers to a thick, spreadable paste or mixture. In English-speaking countries, it often specifically refers to a type of meat product made from ground or chopped meat mixed with other ingredients such as breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices, and then molded into a round loaf and served cold. The term can also be used more broadly to refer to any thick, spreadable mixture, such as a pate of liver or a pate of vegetables.