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

The July 19 class will focus on stevia and horseradish, and July 26 will look at chamomile and sage. —Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025

There is also some concern that stevia may contribute to low blood pressure (hypotension).4 Side effects of monk fruit and stevia are typically minimal. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 June 2025

The main steviol glycosides in stevia are steviosides and rebaudiosides.4 3. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 June 2025

Monk fruit and stevia contain different plant compounds. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 15 May 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