tanning

1 of 2

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

tanning

2 of 2

present participle of tan entry 1

Examples of tanning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It was used for tanning leather, making toothpaste (yes, really), and most of all for cleansing and fortifying fabric in a process called fulling. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Here’s a picturesque patio lounger for tackling your long summer reading list and your tanning goals at once. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026

Others in his circle, like Nabil Anani, his close friend, went to Hebron and returned with a car full of leather whose tanning was incomplete. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

It’s estimated that over 14,500 people will die of skin cancer in the US this year, with melanoma causing the majority — and women under 49 have a higher risk of it than men (thanks to tanning, per Johns Hopkins). — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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