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

Fill the sink or basin with cool water and add 1–2 teaspoons of gentle detergent, such as Woolite or Studio by Tide. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026

Stir in 1/4 cup (1 ounce) of the Parmesan, the lemon zest and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper until well combined. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

Stir together 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, pecans, oats, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026

Anderson suggests cutting the fruit into quarters and then using a teaspoon to scoop out the seeds. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 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