This is the 2254th most frequent French word.
gâteau
Cake.
Here, 'gâteau' is used as a direct object noun representing the thing being consumed.
J'aime manger du gâteau au chocolat.
I like eating chocolate cake.
In this sentence, 'gâteau' operates as the subject of the sentence, referring to a particular instance of cake that is being described.
Ce gâteau est le meilleur que j'ai jamais goûté.
This cake is the best I have ever tasted.
The word 'gâteau' here is used as a direct object, but with an indefinite article 'un,' referring to a whole cake intended for the occasion.