Definition & Meaning of "pepper mill"

What is a "pepper mill"?

A pepper mill is a kitchen tool used for grinding peppercorns into fresh ground pepper. It typically consists of a cylindrical body with a grinding mechanism inside and a handle or knob at the top for rotating the mechanism. Pepper mills come in various sizes and styles, including manual hand-operated models and electric versions powered by batteries or electricity. To use a pepper mill, you fill the chamber with whole peppercorns, then adjust the grind settings to control the coarseness or fineness of the ground pepper. When you turn the handle or press a button, the grinding mechanism crushes the peppercorns, releasing their aromatic oils and flavors.