piper

noun

pip·​er ˈpī-pər 

: one that plays on a pipe

Examples of piper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With bo la lot, seasoned ground beef is rolled in piper sarmentosum, also colloquially known as wild betel leaves, which have an herbal and peppery flavor when cooked. —Christina Liao, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024

The first-ever Middle Tennessee Highland Games professionals only solo bagpiping competition is set to take place in Nashville on Sept. 6, where world class professional pipers from around the country will compete for prizes. —Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Further down the road, another piper — just playing to play — is sending his shrill notes out into the night sky. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 5 July 2024

The United States has arrived at this long-overdue moment for Saudi Arabia to pay the piper. —Richard Sokolsky, Foreign Affairs, 6 Jan. 2016

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing piper

• he who pays the piper calls the tune
• pay the piper
• pied piper

Medical Definition

Piper

noun

Pi·​per ˈpī-pər  ˈpip-ər 

: a very large genus (the type of the family Piperaceae) of tropical plants that comprise the true peppers, are mostly climbing jointed shrubs with pulpy fruit, and include the betel (P. betle), kava (P. methysticum), and matico (P. angustifolium) and the sources of cubebs (from P. cubeba) and black and white pepper (from P. nigrum)