tanning

noun

tan·​ning ˈta-niŋ 

1

: a browning of the skin especially by exposure to sun

2

: the art or process by which a skin is tanned

3

: a sound spanking

4

: a natural darkening and hardening of the cuticle of an insect immediately after molting

Examples of tanning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite growing up with the warnings of skin cancer, Gen Z is falling for the tanning craze that befalls most generations. —Sam Woodward, USA Today, 12 June 2026

The agency charged that Mercola and his companies claimed the tanning systems were safe and that research showed that indoor tanning doesn’t raise the risk of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. —Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 12 June 2026

The tanning ritual doesn’t actually stop there, though, as moisturizing is the key to a long-lasting fake glow. —Deanna Pai, Glamour, 6 June 2026

The tanning essence is packed with superstar ingredients, including ceramides to protect your skin barrier and squalene—a botox alternative—to plump and hydrate. —Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing tanning

• tanning bed
• tanning booth

Rhymes for tanning

• panning
• planning
• scanning
• spanning
• preplanning
• replanning
• scintiscanning

Kids Definition

tanning

noun

tan·​ning

ˈtan-iŋ

1

: the art or process by which an animal skin is tanned

2

: a browning of the skin especially by exposure to the sun

3

: a usually severe whipping

Medical Definition

tanning

noun

tan·​ning ˈtan-iŋ 

: a browning of the skin by exposure to sun