: 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
Neroli, cocoa shell and tonka bean complete it, giving it all the gourmand goodness.
—
Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
For their cake, the couple opted for an apple cinnamon sponge confection with peach jam and mascarpone filling, and cognac tonka bean buttercream decorated with seasonal flowers by Aimee France.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2025
Available to shop now, the perfume features notes of rose petals, peach and tonka bean.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 9 Dec. 2024
This scrumptious mask—infused with notes of tonka beans, soft woodiness, and almonds—goes easy on sensitive scalps, too, with pH levels between 4.0 and 5.0.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tonka bean
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Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
For their cake, the couple opted for an apple cinnamon sponge confection with peach jam and mascarpone filling, and cognac tonka bean buttercream decorated with seasonal flowers by Aimee France.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2025
Available to shop now, the perfume features notes of rose petals, peach and tonka bean.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 9 Dec. 2024
This scrumptious mask—infused with notes of tonka beans, soft woodiness, and almonds—goes easy on sensitive scalps, too, with pH levels between 4.0 and 5.0.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tonka bean
Cite this Entry
“Tonka bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonka%20bean. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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