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

Tip: To make tomato simple syrup, roughly chop 1/2 large heirloom tomato, and add to a saucepan along with 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon flaky salt. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025

Whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper in a large bowl until smooth. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025

In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Eighteen stainless steel forks and 18 teaspoons were marked with red spots and introduced alongside existing cutlery in a Brisbane hospital tearoom. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing teaspoon

• level teaspoon/tablespoon

Rhymes for teaspoon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn

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