chia

noun

ˈchē-ə 

plural chia

1

: an annual herb (Salvia hispanica) of the mint family that is native to Mexico and Guatemala, has spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers, and is grown for its grayish, edible, mucilaginous seeds which are eaten whole or used especially to make a beverage or oil

… to develop, test and grow new cultivars of chia that are able to produce seed in the cooler climate of the Upper South and Midwest, with the potential to increase production of this crop with a traceable domestic supply.

—Susan Smith-Durisek

also : any of several related salvias (especially Salvia columbariae) of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico

2

or chia seed : the seed of a chia

When mixed with water, the fiber in chia forms a gel that lowers cholesterol and keeps blood sugar stable.

—Jane E. Brody

Chia seeds are tiny and have a very mild taste, making them easy to add to all kinds of foods to boost nutrition.

—Megan Murphy

Examples of chia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yogurt, cheese, kefir, cottage cheese, edamame, fortified soy milk, and chia seeds all offer a good amount of calcium in lunch foods that are easy to pack. Include a combination of protein, fiber, and fat. —Toby Amidor, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Parents, 11 Sep. 2024

That means cheese, everything but the kitchen sink-style omelets and chia seed pudding for the toddler. —Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 11 Sep. 2024

Made with nutritious ingredients like chia seeds, fruit, and plant-based or regular milk, chia pudding is tasty and filling. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 9 Sep. 2024

Consume chia seeds and supplements separately to reduce interactions. —Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish chía, from Nahuatl chía, chian, from Maya chiháan "strong, strengthening"

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing chia

• chia seed