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
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Perhaps one of the most significant effects the researchers observed was between isosteviol, a compound derived from the sweetener stevia, and duloxetine, an antidepressant commonly sold under the brand name Cymbalta. Sukhman Rekhi, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2026 Zero-sugar sodas are often made of a blend of sweeteners, such as aspartame with acesulfame potassium, stevia, or sucralose. Lindsey Desoto, HEALTH, 4 Aug. 2026 That’s probably thanks to the fact that the bar isn’t sweetened with stevia, sugar alcohols, or monk fruit, but rather a combination of real maple syrup and honey. Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026 If your priority is low sugar and low calories, Quest’s formula built around stevia and sucralose delivers on both. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 6, Kansas City Star, 6 July 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

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Cite this Entry

“Stevia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stevia. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Medical Definition

: 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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