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

Remove skillet from heat; uncover and stir in lemon zest and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025

If grilling, toss wings with olive oil, 1 teaspoon of the salt and ½ teaspoon of the pepper in a large bowl. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Add the sherry, thyme, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper and bring to a simmer. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Oct. 2025

Sprinkle the steak with ½ teaspoon of salt and ground black pepper. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 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