stevia

noun

ste·​via ˈstē-vē-ə 

-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

Examples of stevia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of buying the storebought varieties, make your own hot chocolate with skim or almond milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a healthier sweetener like stevia. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 15 Dec. 2025

Some flavors showcase this stevia note more than others, and some of the seven flavors (here's looking at you, peach!) can taste artificial. —Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 6 Nov. 2025

However, using too much stevia can cause side effects. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 3 Nov. 2025

It’s sweetened with stevia and monk fruit ⬇️ Scroll down for the answer. —Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for stevia

• previa

Medical Definition

stevia

noun

ste·​via ˈstē-vē-ə 

: 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