tenderloin

American  

[ten-der-loin] / ˈtɛn dərˌlɔɪn /

noun

tenderloins plural

1. (in beef or pork) the tender meat of the muscle running through the sirloin and terminating before the ribs.

2. a cut of beef lying between the sirloin and ribs.

3. (initial capital letter)

   1. (formerly) a district in New York City noted for corruption and vice: so called because police there could eat well from their bribes.

   2. a similar district in any U.S. city.

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tenderloin British  

/ ˈtɛndəˌlɔɪn /

noun

1. a tender cut of pork or other meat from between the sirloin and ribs

2. a district of a city that is particularly noted for vice and corruption

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• tenderloins
  plural

Etymology

Origin of tenderloin

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; tender ¹ + loin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tenderloin tenderloins

Fried foods featured in my quiz included the fried pork tenderloin sandwich, which was popularized in Indiana.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

I hard-seared the thick boneless pork chops from this bundle — which also includes a shoulder, St. Louis ribs, and a tenderloin — almost like a steak, and wow.

From Salon ● Dec. 4, 2025

After graduating in 2011, he debuted the Ooo-We! sauce, a “sweet, spicy, saucy glaze” that he said pairs well with everything from eggs to pork tenderloin.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2025

The leanest pork cuts include the loin, tenderloin, center loin and ham.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 22, 2024

The cook, placed upon her mettle, served a delicious repast—a luscious tenderloin broiled k point The wine tasted good; the marron glac£ seemed to be just what she wanted.

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin

After the outstanding performance, the researchers measured the biosensor's practicality using pork tenderloins purchased from a supermarket.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 20, 2024

To limit intake of saturated fats, opt for leaner mince and leaner cuts of meat, such as pork tenderloins or beef steak with the fat trimmed off.

From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2023

This technique works well for everything from chops and steaks to whole tenderloins and even slices of denser vegetables such as sweet potatoes and fennel.

From Washington Times ● May 28, 2023

Chicken breast tenderloins, all natural, marked from $10.54 to $5.20?

From Washington Post ● Sep. 17, 2022

The choice bits were from the tongue, the udder came next in merit, followed by the hump-ribs, tenderloins, and marrow bones.

From Bring Me His Ears by Mulford, Clarence E.