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

Steep a teaspoon of turmeric in hot water for at least 10 minutes, then cool before drinking. —Regina C. Windsor, Mph, Rdn, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 2025

Toss the broccolini with 1 to 2 teaspoons of the marinade. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025

Sprinkle all over with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon of the rosemary, and 1 teaspoon of the sage. —Nicole Hvidsten, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2025

Based on a 2,000-calorie intake, that would be 200 calories or approximately 12 teaspoons. —Will McDuffie, ABC News, 16 Apr. 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