tablespoon

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün 

1

: a large spoon used especially for serving

2

: a unit of measure used especially in cookery equal to ¹/₂ fluid ounce (15 milliliters)

Examples of tablespoon in a Sentence

She carefully measured the flour with a tablespoon.

Add two tablespoons of flour.

The recipe calls for four tablespoons of milk.

Recent Examples on the Web

Heat mango, 1 tablespoon sugar and ¼ cup water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat; reduce heat to low and cook 4 minutes or until mango is very soft, stirring occasionally. —Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2025

Ingredients: 1 lime cut into quarters, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2.5 oz cachaça Method: Cut up the limes and add them to a rocks glass with the sugar; muddle together until there is juice extracted from the limes and the sugar begins to dissolve. —Jillian Dara, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Variations for Butter Cake This cake is mildly sweet and nearly a blank slate for your decorations and flavorings: Remove about three tablespoons of the flour and swap with use cocoa powder (such as Dutch processed) to make a chocolate butter cake. —Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2025

Add two to three tablespoons of sugar for sweetness if desired. 8. —Audrey Bruno, SELF, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tablespoon

• level teaspoon/tablespoon

Rhymes for tablespoon

• afternoon
• forenoon
• honeymoon
• laocoon
• opportune
• pantaloon
• picayune
• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon

Kids Definition

tablespoon

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün 

1

: a large spoon used especially for serving food

2

: a unit of measure used in cooking equal to ½ fluid ounce (about 15 milliliters)

Medical Definition

tablespoon

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün 

: a unit of measure equal to 4 fluid drams or ¹/₂ fluid ounce or 15 milliliters