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.
cascaded; cascading
: 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.
Synonyms
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
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
As the cell’s clean-up crew attempts to remove the clumps, a leading theory suggests that the abnormal tau induces phosphorylation in additional proteins leading to a cascade of neurodegeneration.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The pods are built into the hillside and cascade down the mountain in a tiered pattern.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cascade 
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Noun
Colorado Ballet ballerinas from left to right Izzy Crouch, Julianna Frank, middle and Callie Black, pose with guests Any Skinner and Richard Brandon as well as Santa and Mrs Claus for photos during the 36th annual champagne cascade at the Brown Palace hotel in Denver on Nov. 10, 2024.
—Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
As the cell’s clean-up crew attempts to remove the clumps, a leading theory suggests that the abnormal tau induces phosphorylation in additional proteins leading to a cascade of neurodegeneration.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
Unify The Team Around Shared Objectives A company can reinforce and strengthen its team's understanding of and commitment to company values by cascading goals from the board down to entry-level staff.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The pods are built into the hillside and cascade down the mountain in a tiered pattern.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cascade
Dictionary Entries Near cascade
Cite this Entry
“Cascade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cascade. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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