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a waterfall descending over a steep, rocky surface.
a series of shallow or steplike waterfalls, either natural or artificial.
anything that resembles a waterfall, especially in seeming to flow or fall in abundance:
a cascade of roses covering the wall.
(in a drain or sewer) a chain of steps for dissipating the momentum of falling water in a steep place in order to maintain a steady rate of flow.
an arrangement of a lightweight fabric in folds falling one over another in random or zigzag fashion.
a type of firework resembling a waterfall in effect.
Chemistry. a series of vessels, from each of which a fluid successively overflows to the next, thus presenting a large absorbing surface, as to a gas.
Electricity. an arrangement of component devices, as electrolytic cells, each of which feeds into the next in succession.
Biochemistry. a series of reactions catalyzed by enzymes that are activated sequentially by successive products of the reactions, resulting in an amplification of the initial response.
to fall in or like a cascade.
to cause to fall in a cascade.
Electricity. to arrange (components) in a cascade.
a mountain range extending from N California to W Canada: highest peak, Mt. Rainier, 14,408 feet (4322 meters).
Historical Examples

There are a few fires along the crest of the cascades which we are not getting.
Bill Bruce on Forest Patrol Henry Harley Arnold

This warning is in payment for your kindness at the cascades.
Myths & Legends of our New Possessions & Protectorate Charles M. Skinner

cascades, brooks and torrents are the outward evidence of this inner travail.
Chinese Painters Raphael Petrucci

Between the rush of the cascades, streaks of rust showed everywhere.
The Mutiny of the Elsinore Jack London

This island is situated amongst numerous rapids and cascades, breaking out from the rocky hillside.
The Story of the Zulu Campaign Waller Ashe

In the evolution of the cascades, many have been the misadventures of volcanoes.
The Book of the National Parks Robert Sterling Yard

Thin streaks of cascades on precipitous rocks made silver veinings in ebony.
The Princess Passes Alice Muriel Williamson and Charles Norris Williamson

This occurred while they were many miles above the falls, or cascades.
Ox-Team Days on the Oregon Trail Ezra Meeker

It ripples in dainty dance, or tumbles down in cascades of joy.
Spirit and Music H. Ernest Hunt

The cascades here, I’m afraid, come down more like seed oatmeal.
Hortus Inclusus John Ruskin

noun
a waterfall or series of waterfalls over rocks
something resembling this, such as folds of lace

a consecutive sequence of chemical or physical processes
(as modifier): cascade liquefaction

a series of stages in the processing chain of an electrical signal where each operates the next in turn
(as modifier): a cascade amplifier

the cumulative process responsible for the formation of an electrical discharge, cosmic-ray shower, or Geiger counter avalanche in a gas
the sequence of spontaneous decays by an excited atom or ion
verb
(intransitive) to flow or fall in or like a cascade
noun
a chain of mountains in the US and Canada: a continuation of the Sierra Nevada range from N California through Oregon and Washington to British Columbia. Highest peak: Mount Rainier, 4392 m (14 408 ft)
n.

1640s, from French cascade (17c.), from Italian cascata “waterfall,” from cascare “to fall,” from Vulgar Latin *casicare, frequentative of Latin casum, casus, past participle of cadere “to fall” (see case (n.1)).
v.

1702, from cascade (n.). In early 19c. slang, “to vomit.” Related: Cascaded; cascading.

cascade cas·cade (kā-skād’)
n.
A succession of actions, processes, or operations, as of a physiological process.
cascade
(kās-kād’)
A series of chemical or physiological processes that occur in successive stages, each of which is dependent on the preceding one, to produce a culminating effect. The steps involved in the clotting of blood occur as a cascade.

Mountain chain extending from British Columbia, Canada, south through Washington and Oregon to northern California. It is known for its many volcanoes.