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.
Made with cane sugar, apple cider vinegar, and stevia, this fruity, fizzy drink contains fiber in the form of agave inulin. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 26 May 2026 Enter stevia, a popular natural plant extract that many use to sweeten foods or drinks in place of sugar. — Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026 Some lean into glucose to speed absorption, while others go zero-sugar and use stevia or monk fruit as sweeteners. — Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026 Use stevia or monk fruit to add natural sweetness without additional glucose. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 May 2026 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

Rhymes for stevia

See All Rhymes for stevia

Browse Nearby Words

Stevens Point
stevia
stevioside
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stevia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stevia. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

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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