stevia

American  

[stee-vee-uh, stev-ee-uh] / ˈsti vi ə, ˈstɛv i ə /

noun

1. a South American perennial shrub, Stevia rebaudiana, having small, white flowers and sweet-tasting leaves.

2. a noncaloric, powdered sweetener made from glycoside extracts of the leaves of this shrub.

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Etymology

Origin of stevia

1805–10; < New Latin, from the name of Petrus Jacobus Stevus (Pedro Jaime Esteve), died 1555, Spanish physician and botanist

Example Sentences

From early sweeteners like saccharin in the 19th century to modern alternatives such as stevia and monk fruit, the goal has remained the same.

From Science Daily • Jan. 13, 2026

I like to sweeten it with honey or stevia and serve it hot.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 20, 2024

Some examples of the sweeteners include aspartame, saccharin, sucralose and stevia.

From New York Times • May 15, 2023

They are instead made from a mixture of bovine gelatin, fruit juice and natural sweeteners, like honey, stevia or agave syrup, that's then put into molds and refrigerated overnight.

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2023

If you need it sweetened to drink it, use an artificial or herbal sweetener like nutrisweet or stevia.

From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Solomon, Steve