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

Add peppercorns, lemons, honey, thyme, parsley, bay leaves and garlic. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

The bones are then added to a pot with fresh thyme and black peppercorns, covered with cold water, and simmered on low heat overnight. — Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2026

And actually, not at all the same plant as a black peppercorn. — Loren Savini, Allure, 27 Oct. 2026

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