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 pinnacle expression is the annual release of Remus Gatsby Reserve, a 15-year-old bourbon that is decadent and delicious, with equal parts sweetness, spice, and tannic oak that doesn’t overwhelm notes of fruit and black pepper. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 May 2024

Taste for seasoning and add more salt and black pepper to your taste. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 13 May 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