tanning

noun

tan·​ning ˈta-niŋ 

1

: a browning of the skin especially by exposure to sun

2

: the art or process by which a skin is tanned

3

: a sound spanking

4

: a natural darkening and hardening of the cuticle of an insect immediately after molting

Examples of tanning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So, when a tanning trend emerges on the social platform, sometimes parents can’t act fast enough to protect their kids from potential danger. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025

The World Health Organisation has classed UV-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans since 2009. —Lucy Abbersteen, Refinery29, 19 Aug. 2025

For a different application method, Dr Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta Glow Pads for Face & Body are an all-in-one self-tanning pad that delivers a natural-looking tan in just two hours, with zero sun exposure and no UV risk. —Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Fair enough, but should these shows still try to be for everyone, or is that as antiquated as the tanning bed? —Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing tanning

• tanning bed
• tanning booth

Rhymes for tanning

• panning
• planing
• planning
• scanning
• spanning
• preplanning
• replanning
• scintiscanning

Kids Definition

tanning

noun

tan·​ning

ˈtan-iŋ

1

: the art or process by which an animal skin is tanned

2

: a browning of the skin especially by exposure to the sun

3

: a usually severe whipping

Medical Definition

tanning

noun

tan·​ning ˈtan-iŋ 

: a browning of the skin by exposure to sun