: any of several American plants (genus Manihot, especially M. esculenta) of the spurge family grown in the tropics for their edible tuberous roots which yield a nutritious starch
also
: the root
called also mandioca, manioc, yuca, yucca
compare tapioca sense 1Note: Since raw cassava contains glycosides which release cyanide when crushed, the leaves and roots must be soaked, cooked, or fermented before consumption to prevent poisoning.
Examples of cassava in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Unlike his grandmother’s recipe, Reyes’ adaptation doesn’t require a full day behind the stove; the sweet, subtle flavor of cassava and bananas seamlessly meld with the vegetables and meat, culminating in a soul-soothing stew.
—
Víctor Simarra Reyes, Saveur, 26 Sep. 2024
The vault’s focus on seeds also neglects crucially important food crops such as cassava that are not typically propagated through seeds.
—Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
These snacks blended local ingredients (such as coconut, corn, peanuts, and cassava) with Portuguese recipes (cakes, biscuits, and pastries) and African techniques, rites, and beliefs.
—Beatriz Miranda, refinery29.com, 24 July 2024
Seek out gluten-free alternatives to baking products that use ingredients like rice, corn, cassava, tapioca, or millet.14
Make sure all restaurants and servers—as well as family, friends, and coworkers—are aware of your intolerance.
—Janelle McSwiggin, Msn, Health, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cassava 
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Víctor Simarra Reyes, Saveur, 26 Sep. 2024
The vault’s focus on seeds also neglects crucially important food crops such as cassava that are not typically propagated through seeds.
—Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
These snacks blended local ingredients (such as coconut, corn, peanuts, and cassava) with Portuguese recipes (cakes, biscuits, and pastries) and African techniques, rites, and beliefs.
—Beatriz Miranda, refinery29.com, 24 July 2024
Seek out gluten-free alternatives to baking products that use ingredients like rice, corn, cassava, tapioca, or millet.14
Make sure all restaurants and servers—as well as family, friends, and coworkers—are aware of your intolerance.
—Janelle McSwiggin, Msn, Health, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cassava
Dictionary Entries Near cassava
Cite this Entry
“Cassava.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cassava. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.
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