vanillinEnglishOxford Dictionary of Englishvanillin /vəˈnɪlɪn , ˈvanɪlɪn / ▸ noun [mass noun] Chemistry a fragrant compound which is the essential constituent of vanilla. Alternative name: 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde; chemical formula: CH3OC6H3(OH)CHO. – ORIGIN mid 19th century; from vanilla + -in1.