black pepper

American  

noun

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

---

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

---

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

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

Finish with freshly ground black pepper — assertive, fragrant.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

Finish with torn basil, a decisive grind of black pepper, perhaps a small squeeze of lemon if it needs brightness.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

“Let me get honey-glazed on a roll. Lettuce, tomato, mayo, provolone, sweet peppers, oil and vinegar, black pepper, meat and cheese, hot,” I rattled off like naming brothers and sisters I don’t have.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds