peppercorn

noun

pep·​per·​corn ˈpe-pər-ˌkȯrn How to pronounce peppercorn (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Add chili powder, black peppercorns, ketchup, soy sauce and 6 tablespoons water. Cook for 2 minutes, mix well, and once combined, turn off the heat. Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 18 July 2025 It’s got a wide range from super fine powdery grains to cracked peppercorns and has impressive output with fewer twists. Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 May 2025 The bundle also includes high-quality black peppercorns and salt to fill your grinders. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025 They are play — there’s always one, the lucky dumpling, that my parents fill with black peppercorns to award a prize to its unfortunate recipient, like finding a Golden Ticket. Daria Lavelle, People.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for peppercorn

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peppercorn was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Peppercorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peppercorn. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

peppercorn

noun
pep·​per·​corn ˈpep-ər-ˌkȯ(ə)rn How to pronounce peppercorn (audio)
: a dried berry of the black pepper
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