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

Taste and add more black pepper to taste. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026

Serve the sandwiches with frozen French fries jazzed up with bits of parsley, coarse salt, black pepper, and parmesan shreds. —Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026

Chai Tea Chai tea is black tea blended with warming spices such as cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and black pepper. —Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2026

Top notes of cardamom, black pepper, and lemon brighten rich woods, warm tobacco, and spa-like patchouli. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for black pepper

• leper
• lepper
• stepper

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