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

Mosquitoes breed in standing water and need as little as 1 teaspoon to lay their eggs. Dusk and dawn. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025

Miso Sea Bass Yield: 2 large servings or 4 small servings INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup white miso paste 1 teaspoon coconut sugar 1/2 teaspoon pink salt 2 tablespoons agave syrup 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil Two 8-ounce portions boneless, skinless Chilean sea bass DIRECTIONS 1. —Cathy Thomas, Mercury News, 30 July 2025

Thanks to its abundance of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), some people swear that taking a teaspoon of coconut oil in the morning on an empty stomach can have profound effects on energy and more. —Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 30 July 2025

Beat in 1 teaspoon of the vanilla just until combined, about 30 seconds; set aside. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 29 July 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