tan
verb (used with object)
to convert (a hide) into leather, especially by soaking or steeping in a bath prepared from tanbark or synthetically.
were tanning
-
past progressiveof tan.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While you were tanning or watching fireworks, it was a weekend of upheaval in certain corners of New York:
From New York Times β Jul. 6, 2015
By signs I managed to make out that they were tanning the skin, and watched the process with much interest.
From Richard Galbraith, Mariner Life among the Kaffirs by Emma Watts Phillips
Wind and sun were tanning his skin to the hue of health.
From Kenny by Joseph Pierre Nuyttens
