peppercorn

noun pep·per·corn \ ˈpe-pər-ˌkȯrn \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Definition of peppercorn

: a dried berry of the black pepper

See peppercorn defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of peppercorn from the Web

Staples: garlic, olive oil, salt and black peppercorns.

— linda gassenheimer, miamiherald, "Garlic steak will make Dad’s day," 11 June 2018
Put the tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta, fresh mint, fresh oregano, and pink peppercorns in a large salad bowl.

— ellise pierce, star-telegram, "Disguise the greens to beat boring salads this summer," 31 May 2018
Drinks: Spice up your meal with Nick’s Razor Burn, CH peppercorn vodka and aquavit blended with lemonade and lime juice, or go sweet with a blueberry lemontini served with a sugar rim (both $13).

— samantha nelson, RedEye Chicago, "14 new brunches to brighten your Chicago summer," 31 May 2018
L’Immensité is full of sparkling grapefruit, spicy ginger, and warming amber, and Sur la Route uses Calabria citrus, cedar, lemon, pink peppercorn, grass.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "Louis Vuitton Is Creating a Chocolate-Inspired Perfume," 26 Apr. 2018
Scientifically known as Drosophila suzukii, this peppercorn-size insect uses a serrated organ to lay its eggs inside—rather than on top of—unripe fruit, damaging raspberry, strawberry, and cherry crops across the globe.

— roni dengler, Science | AAAS, "Can a genetic weapon combat one of the world’s major crop destroyers?," 23 Apr. 2018
Heart of Ribeye Au Poivre at $33 is the best deal: A full 2 inches thick, the peppery crust and the bourbon peppercorn sauce keep it interesting.

— kathleen purvis, charlotteobserver, "Looking for a steak? Here are 5 great places around Charlotte | Charlotte Observer," 16 Mar. 2018
With swooshy, high-gloss artistry (sort of like a gleaming, fancy bowling ball) and intriguing flavor combos such as white chocolate with ginger and pink peppercorns, Guilt’s product looks and tastes high-end.

— erin podolsky, Detroit Free Press, "Valentine's Day: Get a chocolate fix from these 10 metro Detroit craft candy makers," 7 Feb. 2018
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine wine, remaining 2 cups sugar, peppercorns, orange peel, and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil.

— steven satterfield, Country Living, "Buttermilk Custard with Navel Oranges in Red Wine Syrup," 1 Feb. 2011

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'peppercorn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.