spoon

1 of 2

noun

ˈspün 

1

a

: an eating or cooking implement consisting of a small shallow bowl with a relatively long handle

b

: spoonful

two spoons of sugar

2

: something (such as a tool or fishing lure) that resembles a spoon in shape

spoon

2 of 2

verb

spooned; spooning; spoons

transitive verb

: to take up and usually transfer in a spoon

intransitive verb

1

: to nestle close together while lying down with one person facing the back of another

2

[perh. from the Welsh custom of an engaged man's presenting his fiancée with an elaborately carved wooden spoon] : to engage in amorous caressing, kissing, and conversation : neck

Synonyms

Noun

• dipper
• ladle
• scoop

Verb

• bucket
• dip
• lade
• ladle
• scoop

Examples of spoon in a Sentence

Noun

an assortment of metal and wooden spoons should be part of every cook's culinary arsenal

Verb

She spooned the gravy onto her potatoes.

He spooned the ice cream into a bowl.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Danish architect Arne Jacobsen’s famous off-kilter stainless-steel soup spoon—its bowl set to the side, to approach the lips ahead of its handle—was produced in both left- and right-handed models from the time of its initial casting, in 1957. —Megan Marshall, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2025

Spoons Metal spoons like the iconic Dardevle have been hammering pike across the globe for more than 100 years. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 5 Feb. 2025

Verb

There will be vegan options available, and everything is spooned up with housemade plantain chips, flour chicharrones or Saltine crackers. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

Add 12 cups water and, using sauté function, bring liquid to a simmer, spooning off any foam that rises to the surface. —Alexis Deboschnek, Bon Appétit, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English spōn splinter, chip; akin to Old High German spān splinter, chip

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1715, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing spoon

• born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
• greasy spoon
• runcible spoon
• silver spoon
• slotted spoon
• spoon-billed
• spoon bread
• spoon-feed

Kids Definition

spoon

1 of 2 noun

ˈspün 

1

: a utensil with a small shallow bowl and a handle that is used especially in eating and cooking

2

: something (as a fishing lure) that resembles a spoon in shape

spoon

2 of 2 verb

: to take up in or as if in a spoon

Etymology

Noun

Old English spōn "a chip of wood"