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

There were figs in her backyard, which explains Bohemian Fig, a warm and woody blend of orange, bergamot, Sicilian lemon, vanilla orchid, tonka beans and vetiver. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

Buy Now Homesick Barbie Dreamhouse Candle Diptyque Amber Candle Evoke the aura of a cackling fire with this woody scent from Diptyque, which features notes of wood, vetiver and patchouli enhanced with radiant aniseed, insolent spices, mysterious incense, cistus and tonka bean. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024

Beaux imported exotic ingredients from around the world, concocting a mix of more than 80 different notes, including jasmine and May rose harvested from Grasse, France; ylang-ylang flowers from Madagascar; Brazilian tonka beans; and sandalwood. —Lindsay Talbot, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024

The duo leaned into notes of tonka bean, soft jasmine, and smooth cashmere wood to capture the experience—and hugged after chatting, as if solidifying their success. —Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2023

The warm notes of sandalwood alongside cardamom, and tonka bean are most noticeable with this cologne for men. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Jan. 2024

Notes: Citrus, cedar, tonka bean, vanilla, sandalwood Sizes: 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz., 5 oz. —Jake Smith, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2024

Amber adds depth to a scent, thanks to sensual notes in the family, like tonka bean (spicy) and vanilla (sweet). —Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 25 May 2023

With ingredients like ginger, tonka bean and cedar wood, this cologne has fragrance notes that smell like an old money English country house without the steep price tag. —Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

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