This investigation reports Ziziphus jujube waste seeds derived biomass adsorbent (ZYB) prepared via chemical activation (ZnCl2) for the sequestration of cadmium ions (Cd2+) from aqueous solution. The prepared adsorbent was characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX to appraise the physicochemical characteristics of adsorbent as well as the mechanism of Cd2+adsorption. Influence of process parameters like dose, time, initial concentration, and pH, related to adsorption was studied by employing batch mode. Different Isotherm and Kinetic models were employed to analysis equilibrium data. Freundlich isotherm model best suited with higher R2 value 0.978 facilitating multilayer adsorption on to heterogenous surface of ZYB. Maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 49.40 mg/g. Pseudo-second order governs the reactions kinetics. Regeneration of Cd2+ loaded adsorbent was performed through four consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles without greater loss in efficiency. Thus, better sorption capacity, good regeneration potential, economic feasibility along with environmentally friendly nature corroborates ZYB as a potential adsorbent.