black pepper

noun

: a spice that consists of the dried fruit of an Indian vine (Piper nigrum) ground with the black husk still on

also : the vine that yields black pepper see peppercorn compare white pepper

Examples of black pepper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Season with a few pinches of kosher salt and black pepper. —Sami Sparber, Axios, 7 Sep. 2024

My grandmother’s version typically called just for the addition of generous sprinklings of Lawry’s garlic salt and black pepper—and that’s it. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2024

Brunn went door to door on Lombard Street trying to sell pickling spices and black pepper to delicatessen owners, then slowly broke into the meatpacking and pickle-making markets. —Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2024

The only seasonings in this corn casserole are salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

black pepper

noun

: a spice that is made by grinding the fruit of the East Indian pepper with the black husk still on

Medical Definition

black pepper

noun

: a condiment that consists of the fruit of an Indian plant of the genus Piper (P. nigrum) ground with the black husk still on