stevia

noun

ste·​via ˈstē-vē-ə 

-vyə

1

: any of a genus (Stevia) of composite herbs and shrubs of tropical and subtropical America

especially : a white-flowered tender perennial (S. rebaudiana) native to Paraguay

2

: a white powder composed of one or more intensely sweet glycosides derived from the leaves of a stevia (S. rebaudiana) and used as noncaloric sweetener

Examples of stevia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If your priority is low sugar and low calories, Quest’s formula built around stevia and sucralose delivers on both. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 6, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026

The brand uses a combination of stevia extract and sucralose, which are zero calorie sweeteners. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Select a natural sweetener like monk fruit or stevia, rather than relying on artificial sweeteners. — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 10 June 2026

Sweetened with stevia and nothing artificial. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Petrus Jacobus Stevus (Pedro Jaime Esteve) †1555 Spanish physician and botanist

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stevia

• previa

Medical Definition

stevia

noun

ste·​via ˈstē-vē-ə 

: a South American perennial shrub (Stevia rebaudiana) of the composite family

also : a very sweet noncaloric glycoside-containing substance that is obtained from the leaves of the stevia