Definition of TENDERLOIN

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A tenderloin, of course, is a juicy and tasty cut of meat. In the late 19th century, however, Tenderloin saw use as a nickname for the neighborhood of midtown Manhattan, west of Broadway and below 42nd Street. This district, which contained numerous bordellos, gambling houses, and watering holes, alongside theaters and hotels, became a hotbed of corruption - and, it was alleged by some, blackmail by police. The notion of dishonest law enforcers being able to afford a nice meal off activity in this district is believed to have given the Tenderloin its name. Soon the term was applied to similarly seedy districts in other cities.

Examples of tenderloin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Buying filet mignon Filet mignon is from the tenderloin part of the cow and is both lean and tender at the same time. — Katie Workman, NBC News, "The ultimate guide to surf and turf at home," 13 Feb. 2020 Theft: Detroit Avenue Officers began following and eventually stopped a man riding a bicycle after police received a call that the man had stolen a beef tenderloin from Giant Eagle. — Bruce Geiselman, cleveland, "Cash taken from tip jar: Lakewood Police Blotter," 30 Nov. 2019 There was also afternoon tenderloin at Aristocrat, a trip to Newfields, food at Public Greens and brews at the Red Key Tavern. — Justin L. Mack, Indianapolis Star, "New York Times really likes Indianapolis! Even if sometimes it doesn't sound like it.," 14 Nov. 2019 Cut the tenderloin almost in half lengthwise and open like a book. — Linda Gassenheimer, Twin Cities, "Dressing highlights flavors of Vietnamese Beef Salad," 5 Aug. 2019 Last season saw a Pretzeloin (pork tenderloin on a pretzel bun) and Wisconsin cheese curds. — Domenica Bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "Shelbyville's drive-in beat the odds to survive. What's next? It needs a second screen.," 16 Jan. 2020 After a successful hunt, the backstraps, tenderloins, and juicy venison steaks all get careful consideration. — Ali Juten, Outdoor Life, "How to Make Candles Out of Deer Tallow," 17 Dec. 2019 The large cuts of meat — tenderloins, steaks, chops and roasts — are returned to the hunter at no extra charge. — Dave Orrick, Twin Cities, "State probes alleged illegal sales of hunter-killed deer meat," 4 Dec. 2019 The leaders dined on salad, grilled Wagyu beef tenderloin and chocolate ganache mousse with wines from France and Argentina in the Delegates Lounge, facing a line of flags of the 193 U.N. member nations. — Washington Post, "The Latest: Polish leader touts record on climate change," 24 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tenderloin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.