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black pepper
noun
: a spice that consists of the dried berry of an Indian vine ground with the black husk still on
also
: the plant (Piper nigrum) that yields black pepper
Examples of black pepper in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The one common attribute of black pepper and chili pepper concerns their bioactive alkaloids, piperine in the case of black pepper and capsaicin — a constituent of chili powder and cayenne pepper — in the case of chili peppers.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
Slice or quarter and then lightly toss Brussels sprouts in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), avocado oil, sea salt, and black pepper.
—Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 17 Apr. 2024
There are also notes of black pepper, vanilla, cinnamon, peach, and bright citrus on the palate that round it out and add complexity.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2024
Pair with After Eight mints or even a wiener schnitzel with ample black pepper.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Grind fresh black pepper all over the lamb and roast it on a rack set over a rimmed baking sheet or in a shallow roasting pan, for about half an hour or so, until the thickest part reads 120 degrees (for a rosy medium) on an instant-read thermometer.
—Lucinda Scala Quinn, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
Ingredients 1 cup tap water 6 large eggs Optional garnishes: flaky sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and chopped fresh chives
Directions
Steam eggs in Instant Pot:
Pour tap water into a programmable pressure multicooker (such as Instant Pot).
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2024
Prepare the eggs: Break the eggs into a medium bowl and season with 1 teaspoon of salt and a few turns of black pepper.
—Emily Weinstein, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024
This Reyes candle is inspired by the coastal wilderness with notes of black pepper, coconut water, fig leaf, fog, lavendar, clary sage, oakmoss and papyrus.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'black pepper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of black pepper was
before the 12th century
Dictionary Entries Near black pepper
Cite this Entry
“Black pepper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20pepper. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on black pepper
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about black pepper
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