tablespoon

American  

[tey-buhl-spoon] / ˈteɪ bəlˌspun /

noun

1. a spoon larger than a teaspoon or a dessert spoon, used in serving food at the table and as a standard measuring unit in recipes.

2. a tablespoonful.

---

tablespoon British  

/ ˈteɪbəlˌspuːn /

noun

1. a spoon, larger than a dessertspoon, used for serving food, etc

2. Also called: tablespoonful.  the amount contained in such a spoon

3. a unit of capacity used in cooking, medicine, etc, equal to half a fluid ounce or three teaspoons

---

Etymology

Origin of tablespoon

First recorded in 1755–65; table + spoon

Compare meaning

How does tablespoon compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• teaspoon vs. tablespoon

Example Sentences

If you must, limit it to a tablespoon or two, no more.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2025

Like all MOFs, the material features a porous, crystalline array of metal ions and organic linkers, with an internal area equivalent to about six football fields per tablespoon -- a huge area for adsorbing gases.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2024

An extra half a tablespoon of the fancy fat a day could knock a whopping 28 percent off your risk of dementia mortality!

From Slate • May 28, 2024

In a large pot, boil the pasta in 2 quarts of water with 1/2 tablespoon of salt.

From Seattle Times • May 22, 2024

Amy stuck a tablespoon into an economy-size vat of mayonnaise.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris