tenderloin
noun
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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
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
These petite, thick-cut pork tenderloin steaks are a delicious, budget-friendly twist on steak night.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025
Transfer the tenderloin to a rimmed baking sheet and place it in the oven.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Juicy, tender, and shaped like a tenderloin, the beef shoulder petite tender is a smaller, more affordable option to beef tenderloin.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenderloin
Cite this Entry
“Tenderloin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenderloin. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.
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tenderloin
noun
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