black pepper

noun

: a spice that consists of the dried fruit of an Indian vine (Piper nigrum) ground with the black husk still on

also : the vine that yields black pepper see peppercorn compare white pepper

Examples of black pepper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adding black pepper to a turmeric shot helps the body absorb the curcumin more readily. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025

Sprinkle soup generously with ground black pepper and add more black pepper at table when ladling hot into bowls for serving. —Phil Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025

And for the most part, those spices have stayed the same for 100 years: black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and celery salt. —Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025

Season with coarse salt and if desired, black pepper. —Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

black pepper

noun

: a spice that is made by grinding the fruit of the East Indian pepper with the black husk still on

Medical Definition

black pepper

noun

: a condiment that consists of the fruit of an Indian plant of the genus Piper (P. nigrum) ground with the black husk still on