tapioca

American  

[tap-ee-oh-kuh] / ˌtæp iˈoʊ kə /

noun

1. a food substance prepared from cassava in granular, flake, pellet pearl tapioca, or flour form, used in puddings, as a thickener, etc.

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tapioca British  

/ ˌtæpɪˈəʊkə /

noun

1. a beadlike starch obtained from cassava root, used in cooking as a thickening agent, esp in puddings

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Etymology

Origin of tapioca

First recorded in 1605–15; from Portuguese, from Tupi tipioca, more literally, “pulp squeezed out” (of cassava plants), from tipi “dregs, residue” + oca “to squeeze out”

Example Sentences

Pediatricians have long warned that tapioca pearls can pose a choking hazard.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026

Not to be confused with chewy tapioca boba, these popping pearls are thin, gel-like spheres that burst in your mouth.

From Salon • May 17, 2025

"We had tapioca, semolina, treacle sponge pudding, as well as jam roly-poly, cake with icing and sprinkles, chocolate cake and pink custard, and more."

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2025

If the ingredients include things such as “organic tapioca starch” or “pea protein isolate,” or even natural coloring, you might reconsider.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2024

Sara studies the dark tapioca bubbles at the bottom of her cup suspiciously.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan