tablespoonful

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon·​ful ˌtā-bəl-ˈspün-ˌfu̇l 

ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün-

plural tablespoonfuls ˌtā-bəl-ˈspün-ˌfu̇lz 

ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün-ˌfu̇lz

also tablespoonsful ˌtā-bəl-ˈspünz-ˌfu̇l 

ˈtā-bəl-ˌspünz-ˌfu̇l

1

: enough to fill a tablespoon

2

: tablespoon sense 2

Examples of tablespoonful in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mix with a fork, adding more ice water by the tablespoonful as needed, just until a shaggy dough comes together. —Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 May 2026

Then beat up a couple of eggs and mix with two tablespoonfuls of sugar (brown sugar is the best), making a light batter. —Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026

Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet, about 3/4- to 1-inch apart. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2025

Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, adding more flour by tablespoonfuls if dough is very sticky, about 8 minutes. —The Know, Denver Post, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tablespoonful

• teaspoonful
• tuneful

Kids Definition

tablespoonful

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon·​ful ˌtā-bəl-ˈspün-ˌfu̇l 

ˈtā-bəl-ˌspün-

plural tablespoonfuls

-ˌfu̇lz

also tablespoonsful -ˈspünz-ˌfu̇l 

-ˌspünz-

1

: as much as a tablespoon can hold

2

: tablespoon sense 2

Medical Definition

tablespoonful

noun

ta·​ble·​spoon·​ful ˌtā-bəl-ˈspün-ˌfu̇l, ˈtā-bəl-ˌ 

plural tablespoonfuls -ˌfu̇lz  also tablespoonsful -ˈspünz-ˌfu̇l, -ˌspünz- 

: tablespoon