peppermint

American  

[pep-er-mint, -muhnt] / ˈpɛp ərˌmɪnt, -mənt /

noun

• peppermints
  plural

1. an herb, Mentha piperita, of the mint family, cultivated for its aromatic, pungent oil.

2. Also called peppermint oil. this oil, or a preparation made from it.

3. a lozenge or confection flavored with peppermint.

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peppermint British  

/ ˈpɛpəˌmɪnt /

noun

1. a temperate mint plant, Mentha piperita, with purple or white flowers: cultivated for its downy leaves, which yield a pungent oil

2. the oil from this plant, which is used as a flavouring

3. a sweet flavoured with peppermint

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• peppermints
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of peppermint

First recorded in 1690–1700; pepper + mint ¹

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Explanation

Peppermint is the familiar aromatic flavoring you'll find in toothpaste, gum, and those round, red and white candies that your grandmother always keeps in a little china bowl on her coffee table. Peppermint, the most common type of mint plant, has fresh, fragrant leaves, and the word peppermint is also the name of an oil extracted from those leaves. The oil and leaves of the peppermint plant are used in many products, including ice cream, tea, and shampoo. The word peppermint was coined in the 17th century, from pepper and mint, probably inspired by its "spicy," tingling flavor.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

peppermint peppermints

The work with peppermint helped establish an approach that researchers are now extending to vanillin.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

Daily peppermint oil may offer a simple way to reduce mildly elevated blood pressure, according to new research.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026

Anima Mundi’s “main cool down blend,” as she described it, contains lemongrass, hibiscus, peppermint and orange peel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

For a bargain option, check out Trader Joe's Well Rested Herbal Tea, which touts chamomile, spearmint, peppermint, blackberry leaves, and rosebuds.

From Salon ● Apr. 18, 2025

Her gardening gloves, still smudged with the last soil she’d ever lifted; a box of her favorite tea, which had long ago lost its peppermint scent; the thick candy-cane-striped kneesocks she wore in winter.

From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker

He texted Kelly, asking if she had peppermints to try to curb the discomfort.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 20, 2020

Lee received a package marked only with her name and address; it contained the pills, tea bags, peppermints, maxipads, prescription ibuprofen and nausea medication.

From New York Times ● Apr. 28, 2020

He buys Rice Krispies bars for the kids and keeps peppermints on hand for sore throats and upset tummies.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 3, 2016

I took handfuls of Dum Dum pops, peppermints, butterscotch and those strawberry candies with the gooey middle that grandmothers always have.

From Salon ● Jan. 5, 2013

He bought chocolate in the village, and some peppermints in a tube.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

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