teaspoon

noun

tea·​spoon ˈtē-ˌspün How to pronounce teaspoon (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Directions Toss together cucumbers and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a large bowl. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 11 July 2025 It is finished out of left field with barely more than a teaspoon of sweet vermouth, offering just enough plush fruit and herbaceousness to keep it complex and interesting while keeping the overall sweetness very low. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 11 July 2025 To the bowl with the shrimp juices, add the lemon juice, ouzo, garlic, and ½ teaspoon of salt and stir to combine. Greg Chelmis, Saveur, 10 July 2025 Place a serving of the pork belly in the bao and top with a teaspoon of the Thai peanuts. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for teaspoon

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of teaspoon was in 1686

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Teaspoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teaspoon. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

teaspoon

noun
tea·​spoon ˈtē-ˌspün How to pronounce teaspoon (audio)
-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
: a unit of measure equal to ¹/₆ fluid ounce or ¹/₃ tablespoon or 5 milliliters

More from Merriam-Webster on teaspoon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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