tablespoonful

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon·​ful ˌtā-bəl-ˈspün-ˌfu̇l 

ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün-

plural tablespoonfuls ˌtā-bəl-ˈspün-ˌfu̇lz 

ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün-ˌfu̇lz

also tablespoonsful ˌtā-bəl-ˈspünz-ˌfu̇l 

ˈtā-bəl-ˌspünz-ˌfu̇l

1

: enough to fill a tablespoon

2

: tablespoon sense 2

Examples of tablespoonful in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the temperature reaches 350°F (or when a bit of batter dropped into the oil floats and sizzles), working in batches, drop heaped tablespoonfuls of batter into the oil. —Romy Gill, Saveur, 22 Oct. 2025

Scoop peanut mixture with a 1 1/2-tablespoon cookie scoop or by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared pan to form 15 clusters. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025

Add a tablespoonful of lemon juice, then taste and season with more salt, lemon zest or Parmesan, as needed. —Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025

Spoon or scoop out large tablespoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between each cookie. —Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tablespoonful

• teaspoonful
• tuneful

Kids Definition

tablespoonful

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon·​ful ˌtā-bəl-ˈspün-ˌfu̇l 

ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün-

plural tablespoonfuls

-ˌfu̇lz

also tablespoonsful -ˈspünz-ˌfu̇l 

-ˌspünz-

1

: as much as a tablespoon can hold

2

: tablespoon sense 2

Medical Definition

tablespoonful

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon·​ful ˌtā-bəl-ˈspün-ˌfu̇l, ˈtā-bəl-ˌ 

plural tablespoonfuls -ˌfu̇lz  also tablespoonsful -ˈspünz-ˌfu̇l, -ˌspünz- 

: tablespoon