: 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
Frankincense and amber blend with spicy cardamom and patchouli, softened by sweet tonka bean and a hint of sea spray.
—
Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024
But that quality dances surprisingly well with an array of other notes, including sandalwood, cedar, lily of the valley, and tonka bean.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2024
Maude’s kit has warm notes of amber, cedar leaf, and tonka bean.
—Malia Griggs, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024
The sweet and tart smell is deepened with patchouli, cardamom, warm oud, and tonka bean.
—Megan Wahn, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tonka bean 
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Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024
But that quality dances surprisingly well with an array of other notes, including sandalwood, cedar, lily of the valley, and tonka bean.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2024
Maude’s kit has warm notes of amber, cedar leaf, and tonka bean.
—Malia Griggs, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024
The sweet and tart smell is deepened with patchouli, cardamom, warm oud, and tonka bean.
—Megan Wahn, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tonka bean
Dictionary Entries Near tonka bean
Cite this Entry
“Tonka bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonka%20bean. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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