spoon

1 of 2

noun

ˈspün 

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

Synonyms of spoon

Noun

• scoop
• ladle

Verb

• scoop

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

Holt Renfrew shoppers can also purchase a selection of caviars, including Baeri, Kaluga, and Royal Ossetra varieties along with mother-of-pearl caviar spoons, ceramic ashtrays, and other collectibles. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2026

Cook over medium, stirring constantly, until thickened just enough to coat a spoon, about 5 minutes. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Nov. 2026

Verb

Mamdami started to dig in with his chopsticks when Liu rushed over to spoon in a generous amount of homemade chili oil. — Gabe Hiatt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026

To serve, spoon some carrot puree into the bottom of each serving bowl. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing spoon

• born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
• dessert spoon
• greasy spoon
• runcible spoon
• silver spoon
• slotted spoon
• soup spoon
• spoon-billed
• spoon bread
• spoon-feed

Rhymes for spoon

• boon
• brune
• coon
• croon
• dune
• goon
• hewn
• hoon
• june
• loon
• moon
• noon

Kids Definition

spoon

1 of 2 noun

ˈspün 

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"