tonka bean

noun

ton·​ka bean ˈtäŋ-kə- 

: 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

Black combines vetiver, cedarwood, tonka bean and vanilla. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 12 Dec. 2025

The Ibiza mist has notes of cocoa, sugar, tonka bean, vanilla, cinnamon, and rum. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 8 Dec. 2025

The tonka bean’s return to kitchens after the collapse of the industry, and despite the looming FDA ban, shows how human desire and taste continue to shape the history of this plant species. —JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2025

Key Notes: quince, pink pepper, incense, almond, rice paper, labdanum, tonka bean Celestial Object is tender, luminous, and quietly intimate. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tonka bean

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Medical Definition

tonka bean

noun

ton·​ka bean ˈtäŋ-kə- 

: 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