teaspoon

noun

tea·​spoon ˈtē-ˌspün 

-ˈspün

1

: a small spoon that is used especially for eating soft foods and stirring beverages and that holds about one third of a tablespoon

2

: a unit of measure especially in cookery equal to ¹/₆ fluid ounce or ¹/₃ tablespoon (5 milliliters)

Examples of teaspoon in a Sentence

She stirred her coffee with a teaspoon.

He measured the salt with a teaspoon.

She put a teaspoon of sugar in her coffee.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mix the brown sugar, pecans, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a bowl, then sprinkle over the potatoes. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024

Season with remaining 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Cocoa and chia seed pudding recipe Ingredients: 3 tablespoons of chia seeds Almond, oat, or coconut milk 2 dates chopped 1 teaspoon of cacao powder Cinnamon A pinch of sea salt To make: Place the chia seeds in a large cup or small bowl, add the dates, cacao, cinnamon and mix. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024

Instructions Step 1 In a medium bowl, stir together 1½ teaspoons of the vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce, the wine, ½ teaspoon of the sugar, and the cornstarch. —Lois Goh, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing teaspoon

• level teaspoon/tablespoon

Kids Definition

teaspoon

noun

tea·​spoon ˈtē-ˌspün 

-ˈspün

1

: a small spoon used especially for eating soft foods and stirring beverages

2

: a unit of measure used especially in cooking equal to ⅙ fluid ounce or ⅓ tablespoon (about 5 milliliters)

Medical Definition

teaspoon

noun

tea·​spoon ˈtē-ˌspün, -ˈspün 

: a unit of measure equal to ¹/₆ fluid ounce or ¹/₃ tablespoon or 5 milliliters