spoon

1 of 2

noun

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

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 curry is thickened with enough egg to transform it into a quivering custard that capitulates at the slightest touch of your spoon. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 An 8-inch square cake pan • Two bowls • A whisk • A silicone spatula • A set of dry measuring cups • A set of dry measuring spoons Start with just a handful of tools. Genevieve Ko, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Audiences haven’t looked at spoons—or Keanu Reeves—the same way since. Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 And two table spoons of maple syrup equal the same potassium of a banana. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 The meal was mostly silent, save for the symphony of metal forks or spoons and my father, the lone vocalist, mumbling or moaning through bites. Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2024 Use a large spoon to carefully spread the rice out on the hot sheet pan, then make divots in the rice for the chicken, making sure the sheet pan is exposed. Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024 Using a slotted spoon, remove the mixture from the pan, leaving the fat in the pan. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024 Such an experience is not limited to tennis rackets but includes every tool humans create and master: brooms, rakes, spoons, fishing rods, needles, saws, pencils, paintbrushes, saxophones, computer mice, prosthetics, wheelchairs and far more. Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Verb
National Cereal Day is the perfect time to get a bowl and spoon ready and celebrate America’s favorite breakfast food. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Mar. 2024 Pour or spoon off the fat that rises to the top of the juices. Ali Slagle, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 The show begins with Henry on a blanket, spooning with his partner, Douglas (Ahmad Simmons). Melena Ryzik, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 There's also nothing wrong with spooning fresh raspberry sauce over each slice. Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2024 Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper, then spoon on to a serving platter. 2. Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 26 Feb. 2024 Pipe or spoon a tablespoon of the filling into each pickled egg white half. Bonnie S. Benwick, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Season the yogurt with salt and the rest of the cumin and spoon it onto a plate. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2024 Oysters are spooned over with caviar and served with a champagne rescued from a shipwreck on the ocean floor. Emily Heil, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spoon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of spoon was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near spoon

Cite this Entry

“Spoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spoon. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spoon

1 of 2 noun
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"

More from Merriam-Webster on spoon

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