tablespoon

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün 

1

: a large spoon used especially for serving

2

: a unit of measure used especially in cookery equal to ½ fluid ounce (15 milliliters)

Examples of tablespoon in a Sentence

She carefully measured the flour with a tablespoon.

Add two tablespoons of flour.

The recipe calls for four tablespoons of milk.

Recent Examples on the Web

Something as simple as adding a tablespoon of fresh ground flax or chia seeds to a smoothie can do leaps and bounds improvement in the microbiome itself. —Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 24 May 2026

Chocolate Morning Muffins Made with a combination of whole wheat and dark rye flours, whole milk yogurt, and just one tablespoon of sugar per serving (plus what’s in the chocolate), these moist chocolate muffins have every right to be on your breakfast table. —Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026

Use a clean soap-dispenser pump to fill water balloons with a washable chalk-paint mixture (1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and a few drops of food coloring). —Robin Westen, Parents, 21 May 2026

In a casserole dish or basin lined with aluminum foil, combine a cup of boiling water and a tablespoon each of sea salt and baking soda. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 21 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tablespoon

• level teaspoon/tablespoon

Rhymes for tablespoon

• afternoon
• forenoon
• honeymoon
• importune
• laocoon
• opportune
• pantaloon
• picayune
• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon

Kids Definition

tablespoon

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün 

1

: a large spoon used especially for serving food

2

: a unit of measure used in cooking equal to ½ fluid ounce (about 15 milliliters)

Medical Definition

tablespoon

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün 

: a unit of measure equal to 4 fluid drams or ¹/₂ fluid ounce or 15 milliliters