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”

Explanation

Tapioca is a starchy grain that comes from the cassava plant. Tapioca is sometimes processed in small round balls, like the ones you'll find in tapioca pudding, or larger spheres, like the ones in Asian bubble tea. People in tropical countries often rely on tapioca as a staple food, although it doesn't provide much in the way of nutrients. Tapioca can also be used in cooking to thicken desserts and sauces, particularly in its powdered form. Tapioca comes from a Tupi word, tipioca, "juice of pressed cassava," from the roots tipi, "residue," and ok, "to squeeze."

Example Sentences

Tapioca pearls are made from cassava starch, and cassava plants are known to absorb lead and other heavy metals from the soil as they grow.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026

He liked to play basketball and worked at a Tapioca Express boba shop.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2023

Tapioca starch was the winner, letting me smoothly extract numerous bunny and dragon cakes.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2022

Tapioca pearls, which are made from cassava, a West African staple, are set in a coconut-lemongrass broth, while citrus slices, swirled in hot sugar, provide cleverness and crunch.

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2022

Tapioca is only another form of sago starch.

From Miscellanea by Ewing, Juliana Horatia Gatty