tonka bean

noun

ton·​ka bean ˈtäŋ-kə- 

: the coumarin-containing seed of any of several tropical American leguminous trees (genus Dipteryx, especially D. odorata) that is used in perfumes and as an artificial vanilla flavoring

also : a tree bearing tonka beans

Examples of tonka bean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dave—endearingly named after Pfeiffer’s husband—features tonka bean layered with neroli, cocoa shells, and pink pepper. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026

Black combines vetiver, cedarwood, tonka bean and vanilla. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 12 Dec. 2025

The jasmine and tonka bean add this slightly floral depth that plays really well with Afterglow’s sandalwood base. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 9 Dec. 2025

When scientific studies proved that coumarin caused liver damage in animals, the US Food and Drug Administration moved to ban the tonka bean as a food ingredient in 1954. —JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Dutch tonka(-boon) & Portuguese (fava-)tonca, perhaps of Cariban origin

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tonka bean

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Medical Definition

tonka bean

noun

ton·​ka bean ˈtäŋ-kə- 

: the seed of any of several leguminous trees of the genus Dipteryx that contains coumarin and is used in perfumes and as a flavoring

also : a tree bearing tonka beans