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

Mama’s Dijon Dressing couldn’t be simpler — just Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, agave nectar, a pinch of salt, ground black pepper and olive oil. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026

Add the tomatoes, vinegar, salt and black pepper. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026

Stir together chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese, chicken bouillon, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper until well combined. —Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026

This may be especially beneficial for people who can’t take supplements with black pepper as an ingredient. —Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 2 Jan. 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