1
: a browning of the skin especially by exposure to sun
2
: the art or process by which a skin is tanned
3
: a sound spanking
4
: a natural darkening and hardening of the cuticle of an insect immediately after molting
Examples of tanning in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Indoor tanning facilities have traditionally been a service used by younger white women.
—
Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
My mother once went to watch a game, and her abiding recollection was of his having burned himself badly with a tanning lamp, in preparation for her visit, and hardly being able to put on his helmet.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
It can be grown in different thicknesses and colors, depending on brand needs, and does not need third-party tanning.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 18 Feb. 2025
Last summer, beauty journalist Tori Crowther uncovered just how dangerous tanning accelerators can be.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 5 Dec. 2024
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Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
My mother once went to watch a game, and her abiding recollection was of his having burned himself badly with a tanning lamp, in preparation for her visit, and hardly being able to put on his helmet.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
It can be grown in different thicknesses and colors, depending on brand needs, and does not need third-party tanning.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 18 Feb. 2025
Last summer, beauty journalist Tori Crowther uncovered just how dangerous tanning accelerators can be.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tanning
Cite this Entry
“Tanning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tanning. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tanning
noun
tan·ning
ˈtan-iŋ 
: a browning of the skin by exposure to sun
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