# cascade

/kæˈskeɪd/ (US) · /kɐskˈeɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cascade
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a waterfall

noun · CEFR B2

a small waterfall or a series of waterfalls that flow over steep rocks.

For teachers: a small waterfall or a series of such falls, typically one of several in a stepped sequence.

- The mountain stream formed a beautiful cascade as it flowed down the valley.
- The hikers paused to admire the crystalline cascade that tumbled over the limestone ledges into a deep pool below.

### 2. a sequence of events

noun · CEFR B2

a large amount of something that happens or arrives quickly in a series.

For teachers: a process or sequence in which one event or item triggers a succession of others.

- The mistake led to a cascade of problems that took all day to fix.
- The sudden collapse of the regional bank triggered a cascade of financial failures across the entire sector.

### 3. biochemical/technical series

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a series of chemical or physical reactions where each step causes the next one.

For teachers: a series of reactions or operations in which the product of one stage serves as the input for the next.

- The drug works by stopping the chemical cascade that causes swelling.
- The researchers mapped the signaling cascade responsible for cellular apoptosis in response to environmental stressors.

### 4. to fall downward

verb · CEFR B2

to fall or hang down in large amounts, like water or hair.

For teachers: to fall, pour, or hang in a manner resembling a waterfall.

- Her long dark hair cascaded over her shoulders.
- Water cascaded from the broken pipe, flooding the basement within minutes of the rupture.

### 5. to pass information down

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

to pass information or tasks down through a group or organization.

For teachers: to transmit information or requirements through the successive layers of a hierarchy.

- The manager will cascade the new safety rules to the rest of the team.
- The executive board decided to cascade the revised strategic objectives to all department heads during the quarterly briefing.

## Examples

- The news caused a cascade of phone calls.
- The software update triggered a cascade of errors across the entire network.
- The initial policy change set off a cascade of economic shifts that reshaped the local market within months.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.