tapioca

noun

tap·​i·​o·​ca ˌta-pē-ˈō-kə 

1

: a usually granular preparation of cassava starch used especially in puddings and as a thickening in liquid food

also : a dish (such as pudding) containing tapioca

2

: cassava

Examples of tapioca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The drink, typically a sweet tea shaken with milk or fruit and finished with chewy tapioca pearls, has become a fixture in the Des Moines metro thanks to its playful textures, endless customization options and social‑media-friendly colors. —Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 25 Mar. 2026

Wet laundry is slung over pipelines to dry; the kpokpo (tapioca) cassava is dried in front of the gas flare. —Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026

But many brands mix stabilizers and thickeners, such as tapioca starch and carob gum, into their products for consistency. —Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026

Its clean and organic ingredients like fennel and tapioca starch left my hair feeling moisturized and lightweight. —Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese, from Tupi tɨpɨʔóka

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tapioca

• boca
• bocca
• broca
• cloaca
• coca
• loca
• phoca

Kids Definition

tapioca

noun

tap·​i·​o·​ca ˌtap-ē-ˈō-kə 

: grains or flakes of starch from the cassava root that are used especially in puddings and as a thickening in liquid foods

also : a food (as pudding) that contains tapioca