The word black has several meanings:

1. The darkest color, the opposite of white. Black is what you see when there's no light at all, like in a cave deep underground or in a room with no windows at night. Things that are black, like a chalkboard, a crow's feathers, or a cast-iron pan, absorb most light instead of reflecting it back to your eyes. Artists mix black paint with other colors to create darker shades.
2. Relating to people whose ancestors came from Africa, including many whose families were brought to America during slavery. Black Americans have contributed enormously to American culture, from jazz and blues music to groundbreaking achievements in science, sports, literature, and every field imaginable. The term is used with respect and pride, and some people also use the term African American.
3. Complete darkness, as in a blackout when all the power goes out in a building or neighborhood.
4. In phrases, black can mean gloomy or difficult: a black mood means feeling very sad, while the Black Death was the terrible plague that swept through Europe in the 1300s, killing millions.