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

Stir in broken lasagna noodles, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. —Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2025

In a large bowl, use your hands to gently mix the pork, three-quarters of the scallions, the egg, 2 teaspoons of the ginger, the soy sauce or tamari, sesame oil, sugar and salt until evenly combined. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025

Participants received a placebo (no product), 5 milliliters (1 teaspoon), 10 milliliters (2 teaspoons), or 15 milliliters (3 teaspoons) of apple cider vinegar once a day over 12 weeks.4 By the end of the study, all participants experience a decrease in body weight and body mass index (BMI). —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 18 Feb. 2025

Add 2 tabs of butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and cinnamon to taste. —Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025

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