chia

noun

ˈchē-ə 

plural chia

1

: an annual herb (Salvia hispanica) of the mint family that is native to Mexico and Guatemala, has spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers, and is grown for its grayish, edible, mucilaginous seeds which are eaten whole or used especially to make a beverage or oil

… to develop, test and grow new cultivars of chia that are able to produce seed in the cooler climate of the Upper South and Midwest, with the potential to increase production of this crop with a traceable domestic supply.

—Susan Smith-Durisek

also : any of several related salvias (especially Salvia columbariae) of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico

2

or chia seed : the seed of a chia

When mixed with water, the fiber in chia forms a gel that lowers cholesterol and keeps blood sugar stable.

—Jane E. Brody

Chia seeds are tiny and have a very mild taste, making them easy to add to all kinds of foods to boost nutrition.

—Megan Murphy

Examples of chia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Always soak chia seeds in liquid before eating, or combine with a moist food such as yogurt. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025

Stir in the oats, chia seeds, and pumpkin spice until thoroughly mixed. —Ashia Aubourg, Outside, 10 Oct. 2025

Each scoop delivers 20 grams of pea, pumpkin, and chia protein, plus a blend of superfoods like broccoli, kale, and spinach. —Olivia Tarantino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025

Flaxseed oil, flaxseeds, and chia seeds are better sources of ALA than walnuts, while seafood like salmon, sardines, and trout contain high levels of DHA and EPA. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish chía, from Nahuatl chía, chian, from Maya chiháan "strong, strengthening"

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chia

• aliya
• aliyah
• althea
• apnoea
• coffea
• dyspnea
• dyspnoea
• hosea
• idea
• kshatriya
• maria
• medea