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"?>⅙ fluid ounce or ⅓"?>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

With mixer on medium-high speed, gradually add sugar mixture, 1 teaspoon at a time. —Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025

But a teaspoon of pure caffeine could kill you. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 19 Dec. 2025

This is about 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric, or a 1-inch piece of fresh turmeric. —Carley Millhone, Health, 15 Dec. 2025

The label says one serving — two tablespoons of peanut butter — has 13 grams of sugar (2.5 teaspoons). —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 14 Dec. 2025

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