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

Toss squash and shallots together with 1 tablespoon olive oil, sage, rosemary, 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper. —Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024

Reduce the heat to low and whisk in ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024

Mix about a teaspoon of salt in about a cup of warm water and gargle it for 30 seconds or so to try to flush out the debris. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024

Dress it with a drizzle of olive oil (about 1 teaspoon) and 1 teaspoon of aged Balsamic vinegar. —Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 22 Oct. 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