: 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
Now the original is even more potent thanks to an even bigger dose of leather and new notes of fir balsam and roasted tonka bean.
—
Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Striking notes of guaiac wood and tonka bean fulfill my musky quota, while citrusy mandarin and lemon add some intriguing brightness suitable for warmer months.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 28 May 2025
With peppy opening notes spliced with mandarin orange, Coco Mademoiselle has a heart of jasmine and rose and a creamy, woody base of tonka bean, vanilla, patchouli, vetiver, and white musk.
—Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Apr. 2025
Lightning strikes have also been shown to damage neighboring trees with which the tonka bean tree may be competing for resources, leaving the former unscathed, researchers said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tonka bean
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.
Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Striking notes of guaiac wood and tonka bean fulfill my musky quota, while citrusy mandarin and lemon add some intriguing brightness suitable for warmer months.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 28 May 2025
With peppy opening notes spliced with mandarin orange, Coco Mademoiselle has a heart of jasmine and rose and a creamy, woody base of tonka bean, vanilla, patchouli, vetiver, and white musk.
—Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Apr. 2025
Lightning strikes have also been shown to damage neighboring trees with which the tonka bean tree may be competing for resources, leaving the former unscathed, researchers said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 Apr. 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 4 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share