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

The majority of melanoma cases are attributable to UV exposure, and indoor tanning dramatically increases the risk of developing skin cancer — specifically, squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026

Other notable amenities include a rooftop pool with a dedicated bar and a tanning deck that doubles as a shallow end for little ones. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026

Australia and Brazil have banned cosmetic indoor tanning entirely for people of all ages. —Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

If your ideal holiday involves being pampered at a spa in between bouts of sun-tanning on the beach then this resort should be your holy grail. —Ann Lee, TheWeek, 30 Apr. 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