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

The Taiwanese beverage, which blends black tea, milk, sugar, and chewy tapioca pearls, has spread worldwide since it first appeared in the 1980s.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026

His first big win was a tapioca substitute nicknamed “Mitchell’s mud”—a gelatinous, starchy blend designed to keep soldiers full in the field.

From Salon • Jul. 5, 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

The jeepney will circle the neighborhood while selling halo-halo, a sweet concoction of ice, milk, red beans, tapioca pearls, jackfruit, and coconut flesh—with even sweeter condensed milk drizzled on to stir in.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio