pepper

/ˈpɛpər/
noun
  1. A spice made from dried, ground peppercorns, used to add a hot, pungent flavor to food.
    • I prefer white pepper in creamy sauces because it blends in better.
    • The recipe calls for salt and pepper to taste.
    • She added a pinch of black pepper to the soup for extra flavor.
  2. A hollow, usually green, red, or yellow fruit of a plant, eaten as a vegetable (also called bell pepper or sweet pepper).
    • The farmer grew both hot peppers and sweet peppers in his garden.
    • He sliced a red pepper and added it to the salad.
    • Stuffed peppers make a healthy and colorful dinner.
  3. A small, often hot fruit of certain plants, used as a spice or vegetable (e.g., chili pepper, jalapeño).
    • Be careful when cutting that chili pepper — it can burn your skin.
    • Some people enjoy the intense spice of a habanero pepper.
    • She added a chopped jalapeño pepper to give the salsa some heat.
verb
  1. To sprinkle or season with pepper.
    • He peppered his steak generously before grilling it.
    • Don't forget to pepper the eggs while they cook.
    • The chef peppered the roasted vegetables lightly.
  2. To hit or cover with many small objects, such as bullets, pellets, or questions.
    • The soldiers peppered the target with gunfire.
    • Hail peppered the roof during the storm.
    • The reporters peppered the politician with questions after the speech.