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

Reduce the heat to low and whisk in ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024

In addition, The Bigger Feast includes black pepper & Gruyère biscuits, a pear-walnut salad with pomegranate vinaigrette, and a ginger-apple crisp with a walnut-oat topping. —Jennifer Adams, StyleCaster, 29 Oct. 2024

Other ingredients like milk, black pepper, cinnamon, and ginger offer additional benefits. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024

The eau de parfum includes top notes of Madagascar black pepper and Italian mandarin; heart notes of jasmine sambac absolute and rhubarb, and base notes of Indonesian patchouli and skin musk. —James Manso, WWD, 24 Oct. 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