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

Season with ¼ teaspoon to 1 teaspoon (or 3 fat pinches) of kosher salt and crank your pepper mill at least five times. —Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2025

Combine 1 quart of warm water, ½ teaspoon of dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025

In a medium, non-reactive saucepan, heat 1 cup white or apple cider vinegar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon sugar (honey or maple syrup also work), and 2 teaspoons kosher salt. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2025

Stir in the garlic powder, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 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