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

However, some high-purity stevia products may contain extra ingredients, such as artificial sweeteners. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 3 Nov. 2025

Consider sprinkling stevia over your oatmeal. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 3 Nov. 2025

And they’re all sweetened, usually with stevia, monk fruit, sucralose, or a similar low/no calorie sweetener. —Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025

If those issues aren't a concern for you, there aren't many other downsides to swapping your sugar for stevia, nutrition experts say. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 4 Sep. 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