aspartame

noun as·par·tame \ ˈas-pər-ˌtām , ə-ˈspär-ˌtām \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of aspartame

: a crystalline compound C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅ that is a diamide synthesized from phenylalanine and aspartic acid and that is used as a low-calorie sweetener

Recent Examples of aspartame from the Web

This effect was linked to aspartame, the most frequently used sweetener in diet beverages, which generates a similar response in the body as sugar.

— susan scutti, CNN, "A 12 Diet Cokes-a-day habit like Trump's is worth changing," 9 Mar. 2018
Acevedo, however, says that Ace-K and aspartame are blended together very differently in the two brands.

— beth kowitt, Fortune, "This Is the Controversial Ingredient Inside the New Diet Coke Flavors," 10 Jan. 2018
So changing our diet to include low-calorie sweeteners, such as sucralose and aspartame, should be a good way to get all the sweet taste without any of the guilt.

— havovi chichger, Smithsonian, "How Your Low-Calorie Sweetener Could Be Making You Fat," 21 Mar. 2018
This effect was linked to aspartame, the most frequently used sweetener in diet beverages, which generates a similar response in the body as sugar.

— susan scutti, CNN, "A 12 Diet Cokes-a-day habit like Trump's is worth changing," 9 Mar. 2018
This effect was linked to aspartame, the most frequently used sweetener in diet beverages, which generates a similar response in the body as sugar.

— susan scutti, CNN, "A 12 Diet Cokes-a-day habit like Trump's is worth changing," 9 Mar. 2018
Coca-Cola already uses a blend of aspartame and Ace-K in Coke Zero Sugar, which is designed to taste more like regular Coke than Diet Coke.

— beth kowitt, Fortune, "This Is the Controversial Ingredient Inside the New Diet Coke Flavors," 10 Jan. 2018
The new Diet Coke products are sweetened with a new mix of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (ace-k), the same two sweeteners used in Coke Zero Sugar.

— phil wahba, Fortune, "Diet Coke Gets a Redesign for the LaCroix Generation," 10 Jan. 2018
This effect was linked to aspartame, the most frequently used sweetener in diet beverages, which generates a similar response in the body as sugar.

— susan scutti, CNN, "A 12 Diet Cokes-a-day habit like Trump's is worth changing," 11 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aspartame.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of aspartame

aspartic acid + phenylalanine + methyl + ester

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1972

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

aspartame

noun as·par·tame \ ˈas-pər-ˌtām , ə-ˈspär- \

medical Definition of aspartame

: a crystalline dipeptide ester C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅ that is synthesized from the amino acids phenylalanine and aspartic acid and is used as a low-calorie sweetener — see nutrasweet