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

The Que Syrah Syrah is a spicy twist on sangria with wild strawberry cordial, pink peppercorns and syrah, and the Basbousa Ramos is a new take on a gin fizz, with Amalfi lemon, saffron, almond and coconut. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 16 June 2025

Home cooks, chefs, and street vendors across China and Taiwan have their own takes on the centuries-old recipe: some add soy sauce to the brew, others up the sweet and spicy quotient by mixing in sugar and peppercorns. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 15 Jan. 2025

From briny pickles to red peppercorns and Mediterranean herbs, there is a gin for every occasion and palate. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

Citrus sorbet jolted awake with Sichuan peppercorns and a touch of pomegranate. —Clarissa Wei, AFAR Media, 13 May 2025

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