: 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
Our preferred scent goes to Vanilla Verve, a spicy-sweet concoction of green cardamom, vanilla, tonka bean, and amber.
—
Jenny Berg, Allure, 6 July 2025
Like a warm hug, the woody, powdery musk combines suede, sandalwood, patchouli, musk, tonka bean and amber.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Coconut water, lime, tonka bean and vanilla create the unisex blend that brings you straight to a tropical shoreline.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
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
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.
Jenny Berg, Allure, 6 July 2025
Like a warm hug, the woody, powdery musk combines suede, sandalwood, patchouli, musk, tonka bean and amber.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Coconut water, lime, tonka bean and vanilla create the unisex blend that brings you straight to a tropical shoreline.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
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
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 21 Jul. 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