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

While a blend of potato starch and water (2 tablespoons each) can replace an egg in cooking and baking during the eight-day celebration. —Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025

For a 2,000-calorie diet, that’s about 120 calories—or roughly one tablespoon of beef tallow—per day.1 Many homecooked French fry recipes use more than that amount. —Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025

There are plenty of snacks that can fill in for eggs, too – a tablespoon of peanut butter has seven grams, four ounces of cottage cheese 14 g, and six ounces of Greek yogurt 18 g. Loading meals with beans and legumes can be easy ways to up your daily protein intake, too. —New Atlas, 17 Mar. 2025

Heat oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 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