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 ¹/₆ fluid ounce or ¹/₃ 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

Most brands recommend mixing 1 to 2 teaspoons of coffee granules with a cup of hot water. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 15 Oct. 2024

Process yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, chipotle powder and ¼ teaspoon of the salt in a food processor until smooth, about 30 seconds. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024

Transfer to a platter, and sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning. —Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2024

The American Heart Association recommends less than six teaspoons of added (that is, not naturally occurring) sugar each day for women, and less than nine teaspoons per day for men. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing teaspoon

• level teaspoon/tablespoon

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