tannin

noun

tan·nin ˈta-nən

: any of various soluble astringent complex phenolic substances of plant origin used especially in tanning leather and dyeing textiles, manufacturing ink, clarifying wine and beer, and in medicine

: a substance that has a tanning effect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web One of the events focused on the nexus of fat and tannin.

Ted Loos, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2022 Barolo is more approachable than ever before, partly because of better tannin management, but also because those tannins are riper.

John Mariani, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022 Red acorns take two years to develop and are bitter, containing a large amount of the plant compound tannin.

Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2022 The palate gives up rich, generous black cherry flavors and more intriguing spices against a velvety tannin structure—deceptively appealing now even in its age-worthiness.

Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2021 Château d’Aqueria’s is consistently excellent with a richness of cherries balanced by tannin and spice.

Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 There is a bit of citrus, along with tobacco, new leather boot smell, spicy tannin and a bit of anise.

Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 25 July 2022 Blackberry and raspberry fruit notes, soft tannin and nice balance of acidity and body.

Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 20 June 2022 The Stain Scrubber contains enzymes that lift protein, tannin and oil stains and is safe to use on most fabrics.

Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 27 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tannin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

French, from tanner to tan

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of tannin was in 1802

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tannin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tannin. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

tannin

noun

tan·nin ˈtan-ən

: any of various substances from plants (as the oak or sumac) used in tanning leather, dyeing fabric and yarn, the making of ink, and in medicine

Medical Definition

tannin

noun

tan·nin ˈtan-ən

: any of various soluble astringent complex phenolic substances of plant origin used in tanning, dyeing, the making of ink, and in medicine as astringents and formerly in the treatment of burns

: a substance that has a tanning effect