cassava

noun

cas·​sa·​va kə-ˈsä-və How to pronounce cassava (audio)
: 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 1

Note: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The blend will include two prebiotic fibers in the form of cassava root fiber and agave inulin to provide three grams of fiber per can, Ellsworth also shared Poppi conducted extensive R&D over the last 15 months, which was verified by an accredited third-party lab, prior to launching this product. Yola Robert, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 Today, their store carries a wide selection of African foods from across the continent—yams from Ghana and Nigeria, cassava leaves, fufu flour and spices that take their customers back to familiar kitchens and celebrations. Sughnen Yongo, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 In the kitchen on this day, giant bubbling crocks of cassava leaf stew, peanut butter soup and jollof rice sat over jumping blue flames. Mará Rose Williams, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025 Set in a hidden pop-up restaurant within Art Basel’s Collector’s Lounge, the afternoon unfolded in an act of culinary theater—a multisensory journey exploring pineapple as a colonial legacy, cacao’s sacred role in Mesoamerican traditions, and cassava’s journey beyond the Amazon. Lilian Raji, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cassava

Word History

Etymology

Spanish cazabe cassava bread, from Taino caçábi

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cassava was in 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cassava.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cassava. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

cassava

noun
cas·​sa·​va kə-ˈsäv-ə How to pronounce cassava (audio)
: any of several tropical plants with a fleshy root that yields a nourishing starch
also : the root or its starch compare tapioca

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