vanillin

UK: /ˈvænɪlɪn/, /vəˈnɪlɪn/ US: (və nil′in, van′l-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

va•nil•lin  (və nil′in, van′l-), n. [Chem.]

1. Chemistry a white, crystalline, water-soluble, alcohol-soluble solid, C₈H₈O₃, obtained by extraction from the vanilla bean or prepared synthetically: used chiefly as a flavoring agent and in perfumery.

Also, va•nil•line  (və nil′in, -ēn, van′l in, -ēn′). Also called vanil′lic al′dehyde. 

• vanill(a) + -in² 1865–70

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

vanillin / ˈvænɪlɪn vəˈnɪlɪn/ noun

1. a white crystalline aldehyde found in vanilla and many natural balsams and resins; 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. It is a by-product of paper manufacture and is used as a flavouring and in perfumes and pharmaceuticals. Formula: (CH₃O)(OH)C₆H₃CHO