tanbark

American  

[tan-bahrk] / ˈtænˌbɑrk /

1. the bark of the oak, hemlock, etc., bruised and broken by a mill and used especially in tanning hides.

2. a surface covered with pieces of tanbark, especially a circus ring.

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tanbark British  

/ ˈtænˌbɑːk /

noun

1. Often shortened to: tan.  the bark of certain trees, esp the oak and hemlock, used as a source of tannin

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Etymology

Origin of tanbark

First recorded in 1790–1800; tan ¹ + bark ²

Example Sentences

Pity’s talent, which she seems to make up on the spot, is being able to eat anything, which she proves by picking up a handful of tanbark bits and swallowing them, splinters and all.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2022

It's sunny and earthbound at once, with scents of wild raspberries and tanbark, with an earthy bottom note — that's the Carignane, announcing itself.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2017

Westbury, Harvard and Yale and on the tanbark of Manhattan armories for the last eleven years.

From Time Magazine Archive

Her most famed stunt was "the giant half flange": rolling herself upward on a suspended rope, swinging her body over her shoulder while hanging 50 ft. from the tanbark.

From Time Magazine Archive

The next best is finely chopped straw or hay, tanbark, etc.

From Natural and Artificial Duck Culture by Rankin, James