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

Add Them to Ice Cream Ice cream isn’t a food that’s necessarily known for its high fiber content, but adding chia seeds to this sweet treat can change that. —Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 10 May 2026

Blend 1 cup of dairy milk with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 1 banana, and 1 tablespoon of chia seeds. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 8 May 2026

Raspberries, almonds, chia seeds, and lentils are some foods that offer more fiber per serving than a pear. —Christina Manian, Health, 6 May 2026

Think whole-wheat toast, avocados, Greek yogurt, chia seeds or eggs. —Gavin Escott, USA Today, 1 May 2026

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
• dyspnea
• dyspnoea
• hosea
• idea
• kshatriya
• kyrie
• lutea
• maria