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

Place snapper fillets on the sheet and brush with the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil. —Linda Gassenheimer, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026

And here is a tip — a teaspoon of honey enhances the flavors splendidly. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026

Add ground beef, onion, celery, black pepper and 1 teaspoon of the salt; cook, stirring often to crumble, until beef is browned and onions are softened, 6 to 8 minutes. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026

Make the dye solution by adding 1 teaspoon of white vinegar and 40 drops of food coloring to 1/2 cup boiling water. —Annabelle Canela, Parents, 14 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