teaspoon

/ˌtiˈspun/

/ˈtispun/

Other forms: teaspoons

In cooking, a teaspoon is a small unit of measurement, as well as the name of the utensil you use to measure it. If you like your tea slightly sweet, you might add just a teaspoon of sugar to it.

You can also call a small spoon used for stirring coffee or tea a teaspoon. When you're making a recipe, it's good to know that a teaspoon is equal to one-third of a tablespoon, or five milliliters. The word teaspoon dates from the 1680s.

Definitions of teaspoon

1. noun

   a small spoon used for stirring tea or coffee; holds about one fluid dram
   types:

   iced-tea spoon

   a teaspoon with a long handle

   type of:

   spoon

   a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food
2. noun

   as much as a teaspoon will hold
   synonyms: teaspoonful

   type of:

   containerful

   the quantity that a container will hold