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

To help with the texture of the yogurt, stabilizers and thickeners like tapioca starch, rice starch, cornstarch, and pectin are often added. —Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 16 July 2024

Influencer and model Nara Smith, TikTok-famous for making bubble gum and tapioca pearls from scratch, recently shared a recipe for homemade sunscreen — one that dermatologists don’t condone. —Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 2 July 2024

Boba refers to the jelly pearls made from tapioca starch and simmered in a sugar syrup. —Karissa Garza, The Mercury News, 24 June 2024

Suitable for sensitive skin and safe for all body parts. $17 $17.99 Amazon Shop Now 12% off Amazon Native Whole Body Deodorant Spray Key ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, tapioca and essential oils Benefits: Free from aluminum, parabens, and sulfates. —Bethany Braun-Silva, ABC News, 15 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese, from Tupi tɨpɨʔóka

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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