cassava

noun

cas·​sa·​va kə-ˈsä-və 

: any of several American plants (genus Manihot, especially M. esculenta) of the spurge family grown in the tropics for their edible tuberous roots which yield a nutritious starch

also : the root

called also mandioca, manioc, yuca, yucca

compare tapioca sense 1

Note: Since raw cassava contains glycosides which release cyanide when crushed, the leaves and roots must be soaked, cooked, or fermented before consumption to prevent poisoning.

Examples of cassava in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Proper preparation of cassava is very important, because depending on the variety of cassava, there could be a risk of cyanide poisoning if eaten raw. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 26 June 2025

Yields of the subsistence crop cassava will fall in sub-Saharan Africa as the world heats up, a substantial threat to nutrition for some of the world’s poorest people, the study found. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 18 June 2025

Guests can also participate in a cassava workshop to learn about the island’s indigenous culinary traditions. —Kaila Yu, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

Cookies and cakes: For treats like cookies and cakes, substitute wheat flour with almond flour, cassava or tapioca flour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour. —Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Rdn, Health, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish cazabe cassava bread, from Taino caçábi

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cassava

• balaclava
• cava
• fava
• guava
• jahveh
• lava

Kids Definition

cassava

noun

cas·​sa·​va kə-ˈsäv-ə 

: any of several tropical plants with a fleshy root that yields a nourishing starch

also : the root or its starch compare tapioca