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

Examples of stevia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After studies found no long-term benefit, the World Health Organization announced in May 2023 that people should not rely on any sugar substitute — including stevia and monk fruit — to control their weight. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025 Her favorite thing about the Your Super blend was how simple the ingredient list was, without any additives like stevia. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 23 Jan. 2025 Instead, it was dominated by the cloyingly sweet-without-sugar taste of stevia, vanilla, and dates. Miyo McGinn, Outside Online, 18 Jan. 2025 Before a time when coconut sugar or stevia were easy to find at conventional stores and markets, alternative options were almost exclusively syrups like corn syrup, molasses, maple syrup, and sorghum syrup. Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for stevia 

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 7 Feb. 2025.

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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