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

Some sweet options included using it as an add-on for iced matcha lattes, mixing it into Greek yogurt, or topping chia seed pudding. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025

Chia seeds In recent years, chia seeds have taken off as a smoothie ingredient, and not for nothing. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 9 June 2025

Based on current research, nobody can say for sure that chia seeds have a substantial impact on your heart. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 2 June 2025

Why Chia Seeds Might Help with Weight Loss The biggest reason chia seeds are often linked to weight loss is their high fiber content. —Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 26 May 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