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

Add ground turkey, ½ teaspoon rosemary and ⅛ teaspoon pepper and continue to cook until turkey is browned. —Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 29 Nov. 2025

While bread bakes, stir lemon juice and remaining 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt into reserved pesto. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025

Using a teaspoon, scoop the masa into ½-inch balls and place them on the parchment. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025

Use a fresh mixture of 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap—never store this mix in a closed container. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 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