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

It was utilized across many ancient civilizations for artwork, as well as preserving and tanning animal hides. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2025

Indoor tanning increases your risk of squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%. —Carrie Madormo, Health, 24 Oct. 2025

And while Isle of Paradise is best known for its tanning products, their body care is just as impressive. —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 22 Oct. 2025

At a tannery, the raw animal hide goes through a series of chemical and mechanical treatments to remove hair, fat and flesh before a tanning agent is added to the hide to prevent it from decaying. —Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025

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
• planing
• 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