peppermint

American  

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

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of peppermint

First recorded in 1690–1700; pepper + mint ¹

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

"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

Over peppermint tea at the Soho Holloway, De Oliveira reflects on herself as a kind of character when she refers to herself in the third person.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2024

The aromas the team tested on participants were vanilla, almond, lemon, lemon myrtle, eucalyptus, peppermint, vinegar and lemongrass.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

He has a fondness for knitting, for starters, and prefers peppermint tea over ale.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 28, 2024

The pink-and-white peppermint wafers bought that morning were arranged in a little bowl, cracked, but of a pretty blue color.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith