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

Fold in oats and chocolate chips using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 14 Dec. 2024

This set includes a thermal bag for keeping your caviar cool, a keepsake caviar tin key, pearl spoon, creme fraiche and a 125g tin of Estate Caviar along with four bags of Tantos in each flavor including marinara, cacio e pepe, pesto and classic. —Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Verb

Stir in cream, gently boil for 5 minutes more, and spoon the sauce over the chicken, potatoes, and vegetables. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024

Carefully spoon out as much flesh as possible into a mixing bowl. —Lauren Joseph, New York Times, 25 Nov. 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"