tonka bean

American  

[tong-kuh] / ˈtɒŋ kə /

noun

1. the fragrant, black almond-shaped seed of a tall tree belonging to the genus Dipteryx (orCoumarouna ), of the legume family, especially D. odorata, of tropical South America, used in perfumes, as a source of coumarin, and as a substitute for vanilla.

2. the tree itself.

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tonka bean British  

/ ˈtɒŋkə /

noun

1. a tall leguminous tree, Coumarouna odorata, of tropical America, having fragrant black almond-shaped seeds

2. the seeds of this tree, used in the manufacture of perfumes, snuff, etc

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Etymology

Origin of tonka bean

1790–1800; tonka probably < Tupi tõka

Example Sentences

That being said, one tonka bean won’t do any damage.

From Salon • Sep. 19, 2025

Did the President present her with a complimentary bottle of Success by Trump, with its “masculine combination of rich vetiver, tonka bean, birchwood and musk”?

From The New Yorker • Feb. 4, 2017

It can be obtained from the tonka bean by extraction with alcohol.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various