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

Drop a tiny 1/2 teaspoon of fruit filling right into the center of each piece. — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

To substitute baking soda for baking powder, use 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar for 1 teaspoon of baking powder. — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2026

Add half of the scallions, the carrots, and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, then toss again. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026

Make a well, and add the yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 cup warm (almost hot) water. — Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Sep. 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 ⅙ fluid ounce or ⅓ tablespoon or 5 milliliters