pepper spray

American  

noun

1. an aerosol spray that temporarily irritates the eyes and mucous membranes, used to stun and incapacitate a person or animal.

   police use of pepper spray to control rioters.

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pepper spray British  

noun

1. a defence spray agent derived from hot cayenne peppers, which causes temporary blindness and breathing difficulty, sometimes used to control riots

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Etymology

Origin of pepper spray

First recorded in 1985–90; the active ingredient is capsaicin, extracted from capsicum peppers

Example Sentences

She can handle herself—she has an industrial-size pepper spray in her backpack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

“Rather than move immediately to pepper spray, you can arrest the person.”

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2026

It’s also a good idea to keep water or saline spray with you, as both can help remove pepper spray from the eyes.

From Slate • Jan. 23, 2026

Judge Katherine Menendez said federal agents cannot arrest or pepper spray peaceful demonstrators, including those monitoring or observing ICE agents.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026

Or perhaps it was the pepper spray at Greyhound—he had surely inhaled enough of the gas to cause some internal reaction.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers