black pepper

American  

noun

1. a hot, sharp condiment prepared from the dried berries of a tropical vine, Piper nigrum.

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black pepper British  

noun

1. a pungent condiment made by grinding the dried unripe berries, together with their black husks, of the pepper plant Piper nigrum

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Compare meaning

How does black-pepper compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• white pepper vs. black pepper

Example Sentences

Season the skirt steak with salt and black pepper, then sear in batches until deeply browned around the edges, about 2–3 minutes per side.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

It also works across the board: flaked salmon with lemon and herbs, crab with celery and a lot of black pepper.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

It’s a spice mix made of cumin, coriander, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and turmeric.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Wafting through the air is a medley of warm spices I grew up savoring: nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, black pepper and ginger.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2026

Tonight’s rui fish was spiced with black pepper and turmeric, and Ma had made her tasty cauliflower and potato curry.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins