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

Curious about the possible biological explanation, he began investigating whether the beneficial properties of peppermint could be incorporated into a durable protective coating.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

I bought large bags of loose peppermint and spearmint to use for tea at home.

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

"You immediately feel unsafe," Hannah tells me, eyes wide as she grips a mug of peppermint tea in her living room.

From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2025

I knew I was too old, but I snuggled close to Dad anyway and breathed deep into his shirt, trying to memorize his familiar smell of laundry detergent, peppermint gum, and sweat.

From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez

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

They were peppermints, and Ishmael popped one in his mouth, then strapped his radio onto his back and pulled himself into a standing position.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

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