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 ⅙ fluid ounce or ⅓ 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

The first lady gave Camilla six Tiffany English king sterling silver teaspoons as well as honey produced on the White House grounds. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

Add 1 teaspoon of salt and mash to a paste. —ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026

Whisk together the soup, sour cream, milk, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl. —Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026

Because kosher salt's crystals are larger and less tightly packed, a teaspoon contains considerably less actual sodium than a teaspoon of table salt—as little as half as much. —Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026

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