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

Protesters and street medics have also used a baking soda solution consisting of a teaspoon of baking soda for every 8.5 ounces of water. —Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2025

Step 2 Rub each potato with 1 tablespoon of the ghee and 1 teaspoon of the salt and wrap tightly in foil. —Scott Clark, Saveur, 3 Apr. 2025

The five-piece setting comes in an 18/8 matte stainless steel and includes a knife, dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, and teaspoon. —Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025

Place asparagus on the sheet and drizzle with 1 or 2 teaspoons olive oil, just enough to lightly coat the asparagus. —Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 2 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