peppercorn

noun

pep·​per·​corn ˈpe-pər-ˌkȯrn 

plural peppercorns

: the small round fruit of the black pepper that is typically dried and ground as a spice

Examples of peppercorn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a mortar and pestle, crush the coriander seeds and peppercorns until cracked but still coarse. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

This gift set pairs the grinder with Piper’s 50/50 blend of black and red peppercorns, portioned into four individual packets to ensure the spices stay fresh. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Add the drumsticks and brown on all sides for a total of 5 minutes, then add garlic cloves, soy sauce, vinegar, peppercorns, bay leaves and sugar (if using). — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Musk grounds the scent in something sultry, while pink peppercorns give it a somewhat forward nuance. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for peppercorn

• unicorn
• waterborne
• winterbourne
• adorn
• airborne
• blackthorn
• broomcorn
• buckhorn
• buckthorn
• careworn
• firstborn
• foodborne

Kids Definition

peppercorn

noun

pep·​per·​corn ˈpep-ər-ˌkȯ(ə)rn 

: a dried berry of the black pepper