aspartame

[ uh-spahr-teym, a-spahr-, as-per-teym ]

noun

1. a white, crystalline, odorless, slightly water-soluble noncarbohydrate powder, C 14 H 18 N 2 O 5 , synthesized from amino acids, that is 150–200 times as sweet as sugar: used as a low-calorie sugar substitute in soft drinks, table sweeteners, and other food products.

aspartame

/ əˈspɑːˌteɪm /

noun

1. an artificial sweetener produced from aspartic acid. Formula: C 14 H 18 N 2 O 5

aspartame

/ ăs′pər-tām′,ə-spär′- /

1. An artificial sweetener formed from aspartic acid. Chemical formula: C 14 H 18 N 2 O 5 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspartame¹

1970–75; aspart(yl phenyl)a(linine) m(ethyl) e(ster) , the powder's chemical name

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspartame¹

C20: from aspart ( ic acid ) + ( phenyl ) a ( lanine ) m ( ethyl ) e ( ster )

Example Sentences

Whereas humans have one receptor on their tongues that can detect all sorts of sweet things, from real sugar to artificial sweeteners like aspartame, insects have many receptors that each detect specific types of sugars.

From Science Daily

Where most sweetened soft drinks, were able to use a mix of low- and no-calorie sweeteners – such as aspartame – this doesn't work when it comes to slushies.

From Salon

Meanwhile, the agency warned the American Beverage Association about posts that tout the safety of aspartame, a sweetener found in diet soda and countless other foods.

From Seattle Times

Back in June, I wrote about new recommendations from the World Health Organization that people limit artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharine and sucralose.

From Seattle Times

Her berserk immersive environment taunts our endless consumption — of art, amusement, drugs, aspartame — our constant need for yucks.

From New York Times