1
a
: either of two pungent spices that consist of the dried, typically ground fruit of an Indian vine (Piper nigrum):
(1)
(2)
2
: any of a genus (Piper of the family Piperaceae, the pepper family) of tropical mostly jointed climbing shrubs with aromatic leaves
especially
: a woody vine (P. nigrum) with spicate flowers that is widely cultivated in the tropics for its red berries from which black pepper and white pepper are prepared
3
a
: capsicum sense 1
especially
: one (Capsicum annuum) whose fruits are hot peppers or sweet peppers
b
: the hollow fruit of a pepper that is usually green when unripe and red or yellow when ripe
pepper
adjective
peppered; peppering
ˈpe-p(ə-)riŋ 
1
a
: to sprinkle or season with pepper
b
: to shower with or as if with shot or other missiles
2
: to hit with or as if with rapid repeated blows
3
: to sprinkle or cover as if with pepper
peppered the report with statistics
a face peppered with freckles
: a baseball practice or warm-up game in which usually several fielders toss the ball a short distance to a single batter who hits it back
Synonyms
Examples of pepper in a Sentence
Verb
You need to pepper the stew more.
pepper the costume with flecks of glitter
Recent Examples on the Web
The View, ABC News, 27 Nov. 2024
One popular recipe involves mixing flour with coconut milk, vegetable stock, soy sauce, salt and pepper.
—Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024
David Axe, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Max is frantic and inquisitive, peppering Avery with questions and clinically presenting the possible scenarios; Tristan remains calm and collected, downplaying the situation while expressing aloof support.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pepper 
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Noun
In a small bowl, combine the crème fraîche and dill, then season with salt and pepper.
—The View, ABC News, 27 Nov. 2024
One popular recipe involves mixing flour with coconut milk, vegetable stock, soy sauce, salt and pepper.
—Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024
Verb
The rocket struck within yards of the Russian trainees, peppering them and their vehicles with lethal fragments.
—David Axe, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Max is frantic and inquisitive, peppering Avery with questions and clinically presenting the possible scenarios; Tristan remains calm and collected, downplaying the situation while expressing aloof support.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pepper
Articles Related to pepper
Dictionary Entries Near pepper
Cite this Entry
“Pepper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepper. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pepper
1 of 2 noun
pep·per
ˈpep-ər
1
: either of two sharp-tasting products from the fruit of an Indian plant used especially as a seasoning
a
b
2
: a woody vine with rounded leaves and flowers arranged in a spike that is widely cultivated in the tropics for its red berries from which pepper is prepared
3
: any of several products similar to pepper that are obtained from close relatives of the pepper
4
a
: any of a genus of tropical American herbs and shrubs of the nightshade family widely cultivated for their many-seeded fruits that usually have fleshy walls
especially
: one whose fruits are hot peppers or sweet peppers
b
: the fruit of a pepper that is usually green when unripe and yellow or red when ripe
pepper
adjective
pepper
2 of 2 verb
peppered; peppering
ˈpep-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to sprinkle, cover, or season with or as if with pepper
pepper the stew
a face peppered with freckles
2
: to hit with a shower of blows or objects
Medical Definition
pepper
noun
pep·per
ˈpep-ər
1
a
: a woody Indian vine of the genus Piper (P. nigrum) that is widely cultivated in the tropics for its red berries from which black pepper and white pepper are prepared
b(1)
(2)
2
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