tonka bean

noun

ton·​ka bean ˈtäŋ-kə- How to pronounce tonka bean (audio)
: the coumarin-containing seed of any of several tropical American leguminous trees (genus Dipteryx, especially D. odorata) that is used in perfumes and as an artificial vanilla flavoring
also : a tree bearing tonka beans

Examples of tonka bean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
But that quality dances surprisingly well with an array of other notes, including sandalwood, cedar, lily of the valley, and tonka bean. Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2024 Maude’s kit has warm notes of amber, cedar leaf, and tonka bean. Malia Griggs, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024 The sweet and tart smell is deepened with patchouli, cardamom, warm oud, and tonka bean. Megan Wahn, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024 Satisfy your sweet tooth with notes of pistachio milk, fluffy vanilla and tonka bean. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tonka bean 

Word History

Etymology

Dutch tonka(-boon) & Portuguese (fava-)tonca, perhaps of Cariban origin

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tonka bean was in 1796

Dictionary Entries Near tonka bean

Cite this Entry

“Tonka bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonka%20bean. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

tonka bean

noun
ton·​ka bean ˈtäŋ-kə- How to pronounce tonka bean (audio)
: the seed of any of several leguminous trees of the genus Dipteryx that contains coumarin and is used in perfumes and as a flavoring
also : a tree bearing tonka beans
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!