tenderloin

[ ten-der-loin ]

noun

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.

tenderloin

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenderloin¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenderloin¹

sense 2 from Tenderloin, former district of New York City, regarded as an easy source of bribes for a corrupt policeman

Example Sentences

The progression for Kaleena's team still seemed odd to me, though: Why so much protein, including two different tenderloins.

From Salon

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

From Seattle Times

Also popular are the Peking duck, baked free-range chicken with rock salt, diced beef tenderloin with black pepper and the pan-fried eggplant.

From Seattle Times

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

From Science Daily

At Barking Frog, you can enjoy a three-course meal featuring brined turkey breast, beef tenderloin, seared wild salmon or a vegan veggie potpie as the entree, plus a starter and a dessert.

From Seattle Times