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 of cascade

Noun

• 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

But, the analyst added, the company faces a cascade of issues. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 27 June 2026

The skirt featured a more sparse cascade of flower petals that created the illusion of petals raining down around the singer's legs. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 28 June 2026

Verb

Her hair was pulled into a sleek high pony that cascaded down her back. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

During her April 2 appearance, her hair was longer and cascaded down her back. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 30 June 2026

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

Rhymes for cascade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

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