spoon

1 of 2

noun

ˈspün 

1

a

: an eating or cooking implement consisting of a small shallow bowl with a relatively long handle

b

: spoonful

two spoons of sugar

2

: something (such as a tool or fishing lure) that resembles a spoon in shape

spoon

2 of 2

verb

spooned; spooning; spoons

transitive verb

: to take up and usually transfer in a spoon

intransitive verb

1

: to nestle close together while lying down with one person facing the back of another

2

[perh. from the Welsh custom of an engaged man's presenting his fiancée with an elaborately carved wooden spoon] : to engage in amorous caressing, kissing, and conversation : neck

Synonyms

Noun

• dipper
• ladle
• scoop

Verb

• bucket
• dip
• lade
• ladle
• scoop

Examples of spoon in a Sentence

Noun

an assortment of metal and wooden spoons should be part of every cook's culinary arsenal

Verb

She spooned the gravy onto her potatoes.

He spooned the ice cream into a bowl.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Duke’s gave the rapper a custom yellow clock chain with spoons for the hands, and yellow sneakers with mayo-like swirls and a clock printed on them. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 4 Jan. 2025

Her kitchen help stirred with giant spoons as Gibson walked around them, sprinkling handfuls of secret spices in each pot. —Mará Rose Williams, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025

Verb

Or opt for a decadent half-ounce side of caviar ($35) to spoon onto every bite. —Nadia Lopez, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024

The mechanism is charmingly simple: Fill up the bottom compartment with water, gently spoon your favorite Italian ground coffee into the inner funnel, replace the lid, and put the Moka pot on the stove. —Sophie Dodd, Bon Appétit, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English spōn splinter, chip; akin to Old High German spān splinter, chip

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1715, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing spoon

• born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
• greasy spoon
• runcible spoon
• silver spoon
• slotted spoon
• spoon-billed
• spoon bread
• spoon-feed

Kids Definition

spoon

1 of 2 noun

ˈspün 

1

: a utensil with a small shallow bowl and a handle that is used especially in eating and cooking

2

: something (as a fishing lure) that resembles a spoon in shape

spoon

2 of 2 verb

: to take up in or as if in a spoon

Etymology

Noun

Old English spōn "a chip of wood"