teaspoon

noun

tea·​spoon ˈtē-ˌspün How to pronounce teaspoon (audio)
-ˈspün
Synonyms of teaspoonnext
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
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.
Add 1 teaspoon of the oregano as well as the Aleppo pepper and the cumin. — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Use no more than 1 teaspoon of honey, maple syrup, or raw sugar per cup of coffee. — Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 19 Oct. 2026 But there’s another estimate, from Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, who says the average ChatGPT query uses about one fifteenth of a teaspoon of water. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 Rub all over with 2 tablespoons of the oil, ½ teaspoon of salt, and a good grind of pepper. — Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing teaspoon

Rhymes for teaspoon

See All Rhymes for teaspoon

Browse Nearby Words

teasingly
teaspoon
teaspoonful
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Teaspoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teaspoon. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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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
tea·​spoon ˈtē-ˌspün, -ˈspün How to pronounce teaspoon (audio)
: a unit of measure equal to ⅙ fluid ounce or ⅓ tablespoon or 5 milliliters

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