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

That roster includes dishes like foie gras truffle with charred onion jam and a house croissant; a wild boar belly and antelope with pistachio, fermented harissa, and yogurt; and an Asian pear sorbet with aloe sabayon and ginger tapioca. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025

The nearly flavorless beads could be integrated into everyday foods, according to the ACS, and even formed into tapioca-like balls for desserts or bubble teas. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Gluten-Free Bread Gluten-free bread is typically made with corn, cassava, potato, tapioca, and rice starch. —Lindsey Desoto, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2025

Young woman holding and drinking tapioca pearl bubble milk tea with glass straw. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025

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