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

Banh bot loc Often likened to crystal dumplings, these translucent parcels are made with tapioca starch and have a delightfully springy and chewy texture. —Christina Liao, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024

It’s most frequently served with tapioca noodles, but some shops may use rice or egg noodles. —Christina Liao, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024

Caviar plays a starring role in Oysters and Pearls, one of Keller’s signature dishes, featuring oyster bellies and an island of caviar floating in a buttery tapioca custard. —Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024

One editor discovered that the tapioca really should be dissolved with boiling water at the beginning of the process. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 19 Dec. 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