1
: any of various soluble astringent complex phenolic substances of plant origin used especially in tanning leather and dyeing textiles, manufacturing ink, clarifying wine and beer, and in medicine
2
: a substance that has a tanning effect
Examples of tannin in a Sentence
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The mouthfeel is silky and smooth, with a distinctive yet well-integrated oak tannin backbone.
—
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
That’s because oak trees are also rich in naturally occurring tannins, which can cause stubborn brown or blackish stains.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 14 May 2026
This plant is rich in a variety of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, tannins, organic acids, and polyphenolic compounds, such as myricetin and gallic acid.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
This tendency, called marcescence, may have developed a few million years ago to discourage large mammals from browsing on trees in winter due to the bitterness of the tannin-rich leaves surrounding buds.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
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Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
That’s because oak trees are also rich in naturally occurring tannins, which can cause stubborn brown or blackish stains.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 14 May 2026
This plant is rich in a variety of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, tannins, organic acids, and polyphenolic compounds, such as myricetin and gallic acid.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
This tendency, called marcescence, may have developed a few million years ago to discourage large mammals from browsing on trees in winter due to the bitterness of the tannin-rich leaves surrounding buds.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tannin
Cite this Entry
“Tannin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tannin. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tannin
noun
tan·nin
ˈtan-ən 
: any of various substances from plants (as the oak or sumac) used in tanning leather, dyeing fabric and yarn, the making of ink, and in medicine
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