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

Strips of beef are cooked in a screaming hot wok with cherry tomatoes, onion and French fries, then seasoned with soy sauce and black pepper. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Stir together the onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and black pepper in the base of a slow cooker. —Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026

Add all the remaining ingredients, except the olive oil, vinegar, and black pepper, and mash into the paste. —ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026

Garnish with a sprinkle of salt and a good crack of black pepper. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for black pepper

• leper
• lepper
• stepper

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