stevia

noun

ste·​via ˈstē-vē-ə How to pronounce stevia (audio)
-vyə
1
: any of a genus (Stevia) of composite herbs and shrubs of tropical and subtropical America
especially : a white-flowered tender perennial (S. rebaudiana) native to Paraguay
2
: a white powder composed of one or more intensely sweet glycosides derived from the leaves of a stevia (S. rebaudiana) and used as noncaloric sweetener

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web And, since the sweetness comes from stevia, the slather-it-on-everything barbecue sauce is sugar-free as well as gluten-free and vegan. Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2023 There's no reason to think that honey or other natural sweeteners, such as stevia and monk fruit, with high levels of sucrose are really any different than sugar, several experts said. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2023 Formulated with only plant and non-GMO ingredients like pea protein, hemp protein, and chia seed powder, this premium flavor uses monk fruit and stevia for a touch of sweetness without all the white sugar or calories. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2023 It’s sweetened with stevia, a low-calorie sweetener that is generally recognized as safe (GRAS), though some people don’t love the taste of it or prefer to avoid it. Sarah Anzlovar Ms, Health, 17 Mar. 2023 But one rigorous study led by Suez at the Weizmann Institute of Science with researcher Eran Elinav looked at what happened when people were given aspartame, saccharin, stevia, or sucralose in amounts well below the FDA’s daily allowances. Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2023 Two sweeteners in particular, saccharin and stevia, worsened the participants' blood sugar control. Laura Reiley, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Mar. 2023 This simple smoothie made with frozen strawberries, ice, and the milk of your choice is sweetened with a keto-friendly stevia/erythritol blend and gets an extra fat boost from heavy whipping cream. Women's Health, 27 Feb. 2023 These sodas are then sweetened with any combination of sugar, juice concentrates, and alternative sweeteners, like stevia or monk fruit extracts. Karen Asp, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Petrus Jacobus Stevus (Pedro Jaime Esteve) †1555 Spanish physician and botanist

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stevia was in 1806

Dictionary Entries Near stevia

Cite this Entry

“Stevia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stevia. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

stevia

noun
ste·​via ˈstē-vē-ə How to pronounce stevia (audio)
: a South American perennial shrub (Stevia rebaudiana) of the composite family
also : a very sweet noncaloric glycoside-containing substance that is obtained from the leaves of the stevia
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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