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

Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil, a small amount of dish soap, and a gallon of water to make a solution to spray on the plants throughout the season. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 May 2026

Clean linoleum and vinyl floors with a solution of 1 tablespoon of baby shampoo or 1/2 teaspoon of eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner in 1 gallon of water. —Emerson Latham, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026

Lightly cook chicken with a tablespoon of butter until golden but not overcooked. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026

Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water to replace one egg in baking. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 29 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