peppermint

noun

pep·​per·​mint ˈpe-pər-ˌmint How to pronounce peppermint (audio)
-mənt
in rapid speech ˈpep-mənt
or -ᵊm-ənt
1
a
: a pungent and aromatic mint (Mentha piperita) with dark green lanceolate leaves and whorls of small pink flowers in spikes
b
: any of several mints (such as M. arvensis) that are related to the peppermint
2
: candy flavored with peppermint
pepperminty adjective

Illustration of peppermint

Illustration of peppermint
  • peppermint 1a

Examples of peppermint in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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These cinnamon and peppermint pouches smell good to humans and can be placed anywhere in your home or RV. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026 Some compare sniffing isopropanol with a saline or water placebo, others with different aromatherapy scents such as peppermint or lavender, and others with conventional antiemetics. Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026 Studies have shown that wasps do not like the scents of peppermint, clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils. Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026 Landing somewhere between a lip oil and a balm, Noto uses deeply nourishing ingredients like rosehip seed oil, olive oil and peppermint and spearmint oils to achieve a barely there sheen and burst of fresh. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peppermint

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of peppermint was in 1696

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Peppermint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peppermint. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

peppermint

noun
pep·​per·​mint ˈpep-ər-ˌmint How to pronounce peppermint (audio)
-mənt
1
: a mint with stalks of small usually pink flowers that is the source of an oil which is sharp in flavor and is used especially to flavor candies
2
: candy flavored with peppermint

Medical Definition

peppermint

noun
pep·​per·​mint -ˌmint, -mənt How to pronounce peppermint (audio)
: a mint of the genus Mentha (M. piperita) with dark green leaves and spikes of small pink flowers from which an aromatic oil is obtained
pepperminty adjective

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