teacup

noun

tea·​cup ˈtē-ˌkəp How to pronounce teacup (audio)
: a small cup usually with a handle used with a saucer for hot beverages
teacupful noun

Examples of teacup in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Anselmo Ballester—the Roman artist behind many classic film posters—created a poster for the hotel that hangs in the lobby near an antique Steinway, and a small hallway displays artifacts like the hotel’s original teacups and black-and-white photos of movie stars who have stayed here. Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 29 May 2025 One spot in northern Washington County reported 3-inch hail, roughly the size of a teacup. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 25 May 2025 Yes, there should be a teapot in the equation, but the real draw is the spread: a slew of tiny sandwiches; sweet and buttery pastries (like Bon Appétit Bake Club’s Coffee Cake Scones); and the extravagance of fancy china, teacups, and a tiered pastry stand for good measure. Oset Babür-Winter, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2025 The Thunder defense is a very complex storm in an arena-sized teacup. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for teacup

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of teacup was in 1700

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Teacup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teacup. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

teacup

noun
tea·​cup ˈtē-ˌkəp How to pronounce teacup (audio)
: a small cup used with a saucer for hot beverages

More from Merriam-Webster on teacup

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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