aspartame

play

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

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

The Coca-Cola Zero Sugar recipe is sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame K, according to Coca-Cola.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "No more Coke Zero, Coca-Cola says, announcing new drink," 26 July 2017
Both drinks are sweetened with aspartame, but the new recipe will move closer to the original taste of Coca-Cola.

— emily bamforth, cleveland.com, "Coca-Cola is killing off Coke Zero to make way for a new product," 26 July 2017
Until those studies are done, Azad stressed that people should take these early results with a grain of aspartame.

— cleve r. wootson jr., chicagotribune.com, "Diet drinks are associated with weight gain, new research suggests," 18 July 2017
The artificial sweetener aspartame is sometimes described as bitter—

— julie beck, The Atlantic, "The Tastiest Medicine," 18 July 2017
Sweeteners: Sugary sweeteners or artificial sweeteners of any type (e.g. sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium) are not allowed.

— molly kimball, cleveland.com, "#FastFor30 Challenge: How to fast your way to better health," 25 May 2017
Sweeteners: Sugary sweeteners or artificial sweeteners of any type (e.g. sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium) are not allowed.

— molly kimball, cleveland.com, "#FastFor30 Challenge: How to fast your way to better health," 25 May 2017
Sweeteners: Sugary sweeteners or artificial sweeteners of any type (e.g. sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium) are not allowed.

— molly kimball, cleveland.com, "#FastFor30 Challenge: How to fast your way to better health," 25 May 2017
Sweeteners: Sugary sweeteners or artificial sweeteners of any type (e.g. sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium) are not allowed.

— molly kimball, cleveland.com, "#FastFor30 Challenge: How to fast your way to better health," 25 May 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

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

aspartame

play

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