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
It is lightly sweetened with stevia, with no artificial flavors or colorings.
—
Casey Seiden, Parents, 24 Feb. 2024
Non-sugar sweeteners range from about 200 times as sweet as sugar (saccharin, aspartame, stevia and others) to 20,000 times as sweet (advantame).
—Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 14 July 2023
Instead, opt for products made with natural sweeteners–like stevia, monk fruit, or coconut sugar–Johnson suggests.
—Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 2 Feb. 2024
There are no flavorings, sugars, or extra fruit flavors added to this powder—just a small amount of stevia and monk fruit.
—Kelsey Kunik, Rd, Health, 29 Dec. 2023
Organic Stevia for Sweetness: To enhance the flavor without adding sugar or unnecessary calories, Keto Vitals uses organic stevia as a natural sweetener in its electrolyte powder.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023
If a virgin nog is simply not an option, try cutting your alcohol serving in half.
Making your eggnog with stevia instead of sugar can also help make this drink more blood sugar-friendly.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Health, 5 Dec. 2023
Some other diet drinks on the market use different low- or no-cal sweeteners, such as sucralose, saccharin, or stevia.
—Barbara Brody, Fortune Well, 28 Oct. 2023
Many contain stevia, a natural no-calorie sweetener; however, not everyone enjoys the taste of this sweetener.
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 28 Aug. 2023
Casey Seiden, Parents, 24 Feb. 2024
Non-sugar sweeteners range from about 200 times as sweet as sugar (saccharin, aspartame, stevia and others) to 20,000 times as sweet (advantame).
—Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 14 July 2023
Instead, opt for products made with natural sweeteners–like stevia, monk fruit, or coconut sugar–Johnson suggests.
—Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 2 Feb. 2024
There are no flavorings, sugars, or extra fruit flavors added to this powder—just a small amount of stevia and monk fruit.
—Kelsey Kunik, Rd, Health, 29 Dec. 2023
Organic Stevia for Sweetness: To enhance the flavor without adding sugar or unnecessary calories, Keto Vitals uses organic stevia as a natural sweetener in its electrolyte powder.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023
If a virgin nog is simply not an option, try cutting your alcohol serving in half.
Making your eggnog with stevia instead of sugar can also help make this drink more blood sugar-friendly.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Health, 5 Dec. 2023
Some other diet drinks on the market use different low- or no-cal sweeteners, such as sucralose, saccharin, or stevia.
—Barbara Brody, Fortune Well, 28 Oct. 2023
Many contain stevia, a natural no-calorie sweetener; however, not everyone enjoys the taste of this sweetener.
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 28 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stevia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Dictionary Entries Near stevia
Cite this Entry
“Stevia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stevia. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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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
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