cassia

noun

cas·​sia ˈka-shə 

1

or less commonly cassia cinnamon : the dried, aromatic bark of several tropical trees (genus Cinnamomum) that yields a reddish brown to dark brown spice sold as and used similarly to true cinnamon but having a usually stronger, more spicy character

also : the powdered spice produced from cassia bark see indonesian cinnamon

2

: any of a genus (Cassia) of leguminous herbs, shrubs, and trees of warm regions

Examples of cassia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Apple cider vinegar can also interact with certain dietary supplements, such as licorice, cassia cinnamon, and horsetail. —Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2025

The juniper is more prominent on the palate, which also showcases citrus, spices, a touch of black pepper, and herbal notes, especially cassia. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Interspersed among the plants are a couple of apricot trees, a very young Meyer lemon tree and, across the driveway, a cassia tree, still in bloom with yellow flowers. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025

Bittersweet Seville orange; grapefruit and lemon peel for acidity; coriander, which is also citrusy; angelica and orris roots for spice; cassia to pair with mint in cocktails; jasmine to go with honey; and plenty of wild juniper. —Betsy Andrews, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin, from Greek kassia, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew qĕṣīʽāh cassia

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cassia

• Batavia cassia
• Korintje cassia

Kids Definition

cassia

noun

cas·​sia ˈkash-ə 

1

: the dried coarse bark of any of several cinnamons

2

: any of a genus of herbs, shrubs, and trees of the legume family which grow in warm regions

Medical Definition

cassia

noun

cas·​sia

ˈkash-ə, especially sense 2 ˈkas-ē-ə

1

: the dried, aromatic bark of several tropical trees of the genus Cinnamomum (such as Chinese cinnamon) that yields a reddish brown to dark brown spice sold as and used similarly to true cinnamon but having a usually stronger, more spicy character

also : the powdered spice produced from cassia bark

2

capitalized : a genus of leguminous herbs, shrubs, and trees that are native to warm regions and have pinnate leaves and nearly regular flowers see senna

3

: cassia fistula