tenderloin

noun

ten·​der·​loin ˈten-dər-ˌlȯin How to pronounce tenderloin (audio)
1
: a strip of tender meat consisting of a large internal muscle of the loin on each side of the vertebral column
2
[from its making possible a luxurious diet for a corrupt police officer] : a district of a city largely devoted to vice

Did you know?

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 Marinate a pork tenderloin or pour it over cream cheese and scoop it up with chips. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2024 To keep your tenderloin full of juicy flavor, use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2023 Grab your solar glasses and a favorite hoop skirt, a downtown Greenwood spot known for its root beer floats, tenderloins and taste for nostalgia is reopening in time for a total solar eclipse. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Main dishes of rotisserie chicken, a vegan cauliflower dish, smoked beef short rib, and smoked pork tenderloin items are paired with a choice of sauce and vegetable or starch sides. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024 Other treats available to the rich and hungry include a massive shrimp cocktail tower, king crab fried rice, wagyu tenderloin, as well as lobster, steak or Gruyere quesadillas, according to Page Six. Emily Heil, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024 For The Times) Roasting pork tenderloin takes only a dozen or so minutes at high temperature, which is just long enough to bring together a bubbling and fragrant barbecue-like sauce to glaze and serve it with. Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2023 Miller even suggests pouring it over pork tenderloin to make a hearty, flavorful roast. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023 Step 2 Make the tenderloin: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Saveur Editors, Saveur, 21 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tenderloin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tenderloin was circa 1828

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Cite this Entry

“Tenderloin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenderloin. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tenderloin

noun
ten·​der·​loin ˈten-dər-ˌlȯin How to pronounce tenderloin (audio)
: a strip of tender meat (as beef or pork) on each side of the backbone
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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