spoon

noun \ ˈspün \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of spoon

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

See spoon defined for English-language learners

See spoon defined for kids

Examples of spoon in a Sentence

an assortment of metal and wooden spoons should be part of every cook's culinary arsenal

Recent Examples of spoon from the Web

Diahnny Lora and Heidi Vargas enjoyed demonstrating their spoon tricks.

— Philly.com, "There's no wrong way to eat a potato wedge," 12 Apr. 2018
During a search of the car, police found heroin, needles, cotton swabs and metal spoons.

— john benson, cleveland.com, "Loud house party leads officers to underage drinkers: Brecksville Police Blotter," 12 Apr. 2018
Trout fishing remains slow, but there is the occasional quality rainbow to 8 pounds taken on spoons at depths to 30 feet.

— sacbee, "Fishing line: Lake Tahoe is full, the Delta is dirty and several rivers close | The Sacramento Bee," 9 Apr. 2018
Among many winning pieces at the gallery, I am especially taken with an anthropomorphic cup and spoon composition by Aurie Ramirez for $295.

— lynn yaeger, Vogue, "48 Hours of San Francisco Shopping Amidst Cartier’s Many Parties," 9 Apr. 2018
Use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to scoop out dough onto to cookie sheet to form circles about two to three inches in diameter.

— judy buchenot, Naperville Sun, "Suburban Cooks: Remembering mom through recipes, traditions and food stories," 9 Apr. 2018
Heat and crumble the leftover loaf and spoon into heated taco shells; top with shredded lettuce.

— atlanta life, ajc, "7 Day Menu Planner," 6 Apr. 2018
Normally, the annual event is a festive gathering in which children race to push eggs across the White House lawn with long spoons.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Watch Seth Meyers Try to Make Sense of Trump’s Unhinged Easter Speech," 3 Apr. 2018
Using a spider or slotted spoon carefully remove from oil and place on a baking sheet lined with paper towels.

— Houston Chronicle, "Recipe: Korean Fried Chicken Tacos," 2 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spoon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of spoon

Middle English, from Old English spōn splinter, chip; akin to Old High German spān splinter, chip

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

spoon Synonyms

Synonyms

dipper, ladle, scoop;

Related Words

skimmer;

dessertspoon, soupspoon, tablespoon, teaspoon;

spoon

verb

Definition of spoon

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

[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

See spoon defined for English-language learners

Examples of spoon in a Sentence

She spooned the gravy onto her potatoes.
He spooned the ice cream into a bowl.

Recent Examples of spoon from the Web

Cut the tomatoes open, and remove the seed by squeezing or spooning out the pulp with seeds into a nonmetal container such as a drinking glass or jar.

— calvin finch, San Antonio Express-News, "Love the Tycoon Tomato? Here’s how to collect its seeds," 13 Apr. 2018
The producers pretty shrewdly employ flashbacks to spoon out details about how everyone got there, including Posey's Smith, who is a lot less trustworthy than the robot.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'Lost in Space' gets retrofitted for splashy launch on Netflix," 11 Apr. 2018
Stir in pecans and gently spoon mixture into crust.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Grab a cookbook and join chef Kevin Belton in his new TV show," 3 Apr. 2018
Break up meat while sauteing; spoon off any grease.

— Redbook, "Bobby Deen's Birthday Goulash," 17 May 2011
When ready to serve, spoon a heaping tablespoon of orange compote on top of each panna cotta.

— jill o'connor, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Cookbook celebrates versatility of oranges," 26 Mar. 2018
Layer it into sandwiches, spoon it on to black beans and breakfast tacos, and so on.

— alex van buren, Health.com, "9 Things to Add to Your Trader Joe's Shopping List This Spring," 22 Mar. 2018
As the sap condensed into syrup, volunteer Will Ewer spooned out servings of the finished syrup for visitors to taste.

— janice steinhagen, Courant Community, "Taste Of Maple Draws A Crowd To Blue Slope," 21 Mar. 2018
To plate, spoon the caponata in the center of the plate, about three ounces per serving.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "He never gets tired of the Hot Brown, but chef at The Brown Hotel is always looking ahead," 20 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of spoon

1715

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

spoon Synonyms

SPOON Defined for English Language Learners

spoon

noun

Definition of spoon for English Language Learners

: an eating or cooking tool that has a small shallow bowl attached to a handle

spoon

verb

Definition of spoon for English Language Learners

: to move or pick up (food) with a spoon

SPOON Defined for Kids

spoon

noun \ ˈspün \

Definition of spoon for Students

: an eating and cooking utensil consisting of a small shallow bowl with a handle

spoon

verb

Definition of spoon for Students

spooned; spooning

: to take up in or as if in a spoon

Learn More about spoon

See words that rhyme with spoon Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spoon Spanish Central: Translation of spoon Nglish: Translation of spoon for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of spoon for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spoon

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up spoon? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

spoon

Definition of spoon

Examples of spoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples of spoon from the Web

Origin and Etymology of spoon

spoon Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

spoon

Definition of spoon

Examples of spoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples of spoon from the Web

First Known Use of spoon

spoon Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to SPOON

Related Phrases

SPOON Defined for English Language Learners

spoon

Definition of spoon for English Language Learners

spoon

Definition of spoon for English Language Learners

SPOON Defined for Kids

spoon

Definition of spoon for Students

spoon

Definition of spoon for Students

Learn More about spoon

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes