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

Besides the fire risk, the heat domes that trap high temperatures across Europe are having a cascade of other consequences. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

In medicine, this is often called a diagnostic cascade, a chain reaction of additional tests triggered by an uncertain finding. — Felicity Yost, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Verb

When delays occur, disruption quickly cascades across operations. — Christiaan Hen, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Exertional heat stroke can strike young, fit athletes when exercise pushes internal temperatures to 100 to 104 degrees, and further increases can trigger cascading organ failure, brain damage and death. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 9 July 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