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

Ingredients for chocolate mousse 5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips 3 avocados 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 3 teaspoons agave nectar 1⁄4 cup almond milk 1 1⁄2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt Directions for chocolate mousse 1. —Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2024

Add ½ teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest to the seasoning. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024

Add 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 2 teaspoons allspice, and 2 teaspoons cardamom. —Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 9 Dec. 2024

My favorite Trader Joe’s version says 1 teaspoon of it is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 Tablespoon to one whole vanilla bean. —Katie Akin, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 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