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
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.
Try sprinkling chia seeds over leafy greens, roasted vegetables, quinoa, or rice bowls or mixing them into dressings. Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2025 Consider fatty fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and tuna, as well as flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. Beth Krietsch, SELF, 7 Apr. 2025 Muffins on the counter or in the freezer, chia pudding in the fridge and protein waffles in the freezer are healthy options to reach for. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025 One of my favorite ways to get fiber into my diet is to put a tablespoon of chia seeds in 30 ounces of water. Renée Onque, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chia

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chia was in 1832

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chia. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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