: 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 1Note: 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
See All Example Sentences for cassava
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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
See All Example Sentences for cassava
Cite this Entry
“Cassava.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cassava. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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