cascade

1 of 2

noun

cas·​cade (ˌ)kas-ˈkād 

1

: a steep usually small fall of water

especially : one of a series

2

a

: something arranged or occurring in a series or in a succession of stages so that each stage derives from or acts upon the product of the preceding

blood clotting involves a biochemical cascade

b

: a fall of material (such as lace) that hangs in a zigzag line and that is used especially in clothing and draperies

3

: something falling or rushing forth in quantity

a cascade of sound

a cascade of events

Her hair was arranged in a cascade of curls.

cascade

2 of 2

verb

cascaded; cascading

intransitive verb

: to fall, pour, or rush in or as if in a cascade

The water cascaded over the rocks.

Her hair cascaded down around her shoulders.

transitive verb

1

: to cause to fall like a cascade

2

: to connect in a cascade arrangement

Synonyms

Noun

• cataract
• fall(s)
• waterfall

Examples of cascade in a Sentence

Noun

Her hair was arranged in a cascade of curls.

That decision set off a cascade of events.

Verb

The water cascades over the rocks.

Her hair cascaded down around her shoulders.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While some 140 countries – more than two-thirds of the United Nations – recognize a Palestinian state, the cascade on May 22 of announcements could build momentum at a time when even close allies of Israel have piled on criticism for its conduct in Gaza. —Joseph Wilson, Melanie Lidman, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2024

The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft model on January 6 caused a cascade of flight delays and cancellations this month, particularly impacting Alaska and United Airlines. —Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2024

Verb

No matter who wins in November, a cascading series of crises lies ahead. —Noah Rothman, National Review, 7 June 2024

When the enormous operation underway was announced, a U.S. newspaper highlighted a front-page drawing of invading soldiers cascading into Europe, as a terrified Hitler fled. —Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

French, from Italian cascata, from cascare to fall, from Vulgar Latin *casicare, from Latin casus fall

First Known Use

Noun

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1702, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

cascade

1 of 2 noun

cas·​cade kas-ˈkād 

: a steep usually small waterfall

cascade

2 of 2 verb

cascaded; cascading

: to fall in or as if in a cascade

Medical Definition

cascade

noun

cas·​cade (ˌ)kas-ˈkād 

: a molecular, biochemical, or physiological process occurring in a succession of stages each of which is closely related to or depends on the output of the previous stage

a cascade of enzymatic reactions

the cascade of events comprising the immune response