teaspoon

noun

tea·​spoon ˈtē-ˌspün 

-ˈspün

1

: a small spoon that is used especially for eating soft foods and stirring beverages and that holds about one third of a tablespoon

2

: a unit of measure especially in cookery equal to ⅙ fluid ounce or ⅓ tablespoon (5 milliliters)

Examples of teaspoon in a Sentence

She stirred her coffee with a teaspoon.

He measured the salt with a teaspoon.

She put a teaspoon of sugar in her coffee.

Recent Examples on the Web

These are the weirdest chunks of matter in the cosmos—a teaspoon of their material weighs as much as Mount Everest—making neutron stars the sites of some of the most extreme physics out there. —Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026

Top each with a heaping teaspoon of marmalade, then cover the marmalade with remaining batter. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

Add the stock, bay leaves, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026

Add cream, cheese, Italian seasoning, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted and mixture is gently simmering, about 3 minutes. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing teaspoon

• level teaspoon/tablespoon

Rhymes for teaspoon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn

Kids Definition

teaspoon

noun

tea·​spoon ˈtē-ˌspün 

-ˈspün

1

: a small spoon used especially for eating soft foods and stirring beverages

2

: a unit of measure used especially in cooking equal to ⅙ fluid ounce or ⅓ tablespoon (about 5 milliliters)

Medical Definition

teaspoon

noun

tea·​spoon ˈtē-ˌspün, -ˈspün 

: a unit of measure equal to ¹/₆ fluid ounce or ¹/₃ tablespoon or 5 milliliters