tenderloin
noun
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
Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Epic Wings will be taking over the former Breakfast Republic space near the Village Green at the shopping center, serving up original style Buffalo wings and chicken tenderloin strips to be dunked in a variety of sauces, along with fries, pizza sticks and salads.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
Remove pork tenderloin from refrigerator; let stand 30-45 minutes to come up to room temperature.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
The catch of the day is always a great choice and the Wagyu tenderloin is another favorite.
—Sherrie Nachman, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 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 19 Oct. 2025.
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tenderloin
noun
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