peppermint

noun

pep·​per·​mint ˈpe-pər-ˌmint 

-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

ˈpe-pər-ˌmin-tē 

adjective

Illustration of peppermint

• peppermint 1a

Examples of peppermint in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This peppermint mousse version offers a holiday twist on the Dark Lord of the Sith favorite. —Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024

On the 2023 food menu there was a gingerbread loaf, peppermint brownie cake pop and the cranberry bliss bar. —Katie Wiseman, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024

First-aid kit: Band-aids, blister protectors, and natural remedies like arnica gel and peppermint and ginger teas for headaches or nausea. —Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

Got it — the classic three-way combination of coffee flavor, peppermint flavor, and matcha flavor. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

peppermint

noun

pep·​per·​mint ˈpep-ər-ˌmint 

-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 

: 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

ˈpep-ər-ˌmint-ē 

adjective