tenderloin

noun

ten·​der·​loin ˈten-dər-ˌlȯin How to pronounce tenderloin (audio)
1
: a strip of tender meat consisting of a large internal muscle of the loin on each side of the vertebral column
2
[from its making possible a luxurious diet for a corrupt police officer] : a district of a city largely devoted to vice

Did you know?

A tenderloin, of course, is a juicy and tasty cut of meat. In the late 19th century, however, Tenderloin saw use as a nickname for the neighborhood of midtown Manhattan, west of Broadway and below 42nd Street. This district, which contained numerous bordellos, gambling houses, and watering holes, alongside theaters and hotels, became a hotbed of corruption - and, it was alleged by some, blackmail by police. The notion of dishonest law enforcers being able to afford a nice meal off activity in this district is believed to have given the Tenderloin its name. Soon the term was applied to similarly seedy districts in other cities.

Examples of tenderloin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Traditions at the drive-in, 480 S. Tibbs Ave., include the playground and ordering favorites like tenderloins, French fries and pizza. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Dec. 2024 Cut tenderloin crosswise at base of head to make 2 roasts. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 24 Dec. 2024 The family buys the tenderloins fresh and spend plenty of time preparing them for the customers. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025 The tenderloin that the filet comes from is torpedo-shaped, rather than a uniform cylinder. Mary Squillace, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tenderloin 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tenderloin was circa 1828

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Dictionary Entries Near tenderloin

Cite this Entry

“Tenderloin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenderloin. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

tenderloin

noun
ten·​der·​loin ˈten-dər-ˌlȯin How to pronounce tenderloin (audio)
: a strip of tender meat (as beef or pork) on each side of the backbone
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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