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Peppercorn

A peppercorn is the dried berry of the pepper plant, *Piper nigrum*, used whole or ground as a spice.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A peppercorn is the dried berry of the pepper plant, *Piper nigrum*, used whole or ground as a spice. The term can also mean something very small or insignificant, and in law it can refer to a nominal payment used as consideration in a contract.

Definition

Peppercorn commonly refers to the dried berry of the pepper plant, *Piper nigrum*, which is used to make pepper. Dictionaries also record figurative and legal senses of the word.

Culinary use

Peppercorns are used as a spice in whole or ground form. Different types, including black, white, green, and pink peppercorns, are described as having slightly different flavors.

Outside food, peppercorn can mean something very small or trivial. In contract law, it may describe a nominal payment, such as a symbolic rent or token consideration.

Key facts

  • Peppercorns are the dried fruit of the pepper plant and are commonly crushed or ground into pepper.
  • They are used whole or ground in cooking and food preservation.
  • Black pepper is the most common form, but green, white, and pink peppercorns are also used.
  • The word peppercorn is also used figuratively to mean something insignificant.
  • In legal contexts, a peppercorn can mean a token payment used to satisfy contract requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What is a peppercorn?
A peppercorn is the dried berry of the pepper plant, *Piper nigrum*, used whole or ground as a spice.
Is peppercorn the same as black pepper?
Peppercorns are the whole dried berries; black pepper is usually the ground or crushed result of those berries.
Are there different kinds of peppercorns?
Yes. Common types include black, white, green, and pink peppercorns.
Does peppercorn have a non-food meaning?
Yes. It can mean something very small or insignificant, and in law it can mean a nominal payment used in a contract.
What is peppercorn rent?
Peppercorn rent is a token or nominal rent, often used to satisfy a legal formality.

References

  1. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peppercorn
    Supports: Definition of peppercorn as the small round fruit of black pepper dried and ground as a spice.
  2. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/peppercorn
    Supports: Peppercorn as the dried berry of *Piper nigrum* and notes on other peppercorn colours and figurative meaning.
  3. Collins Dictionary — https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/peppercorn
    Supports: Definitions including dried berry of the pepper family and figurative sense meaning something insignificant.
  4. Oxford Learner's Dictionaries — https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/peppercorn
    Supports: Peppercorn as a dried berry from a tropical plant used to make pepper and collocation with rent.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppercorn_(law)
    Supports: Legal meaning of peppercorn as nominal consideration and the phrase peppercorn rent.