teaspoon

Everyday

1. A teaspoon is a small spoon used for stirring tea or coffee and for eating some foods. tree →
2. A teaspoon, or teaspoonful, is the amount a teaspoon holds, used as a measure in cooking and for medicine: about 5 millilitres. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and cooking, recipes use «tsp» (teaspoon) and «tbsp» (tablespoon); 3 teaspoons make 1 tablespoon. A medicine teaspoon is exactly 5 ml; safety: use the measuring spoon or syringe that comes with medicine, not a kitchen spoon, because kitchen spoons vary. A «level teaspoon» is flat on top; a «heaped teaspoon» has a pile. Phrases: «a level teaspoon», «a heaped teaspoon», «tsp».

Examples

• Add one teaspoon of salt to the water. tree →
• Stir your tea with a teaspoon. tree →
• The medicine dose is one 5 ml spoonful, like a teaspoon. tree →
• Three teaspoons make one tablespoon. tree →
• The recipe says ½ tsp baking powder. tree →
• Use a level teaspoon of sugar, not a heaped one. tree →
• If 1 teaspoon holds 5 ml, then 4 teaspoons hold 20 ml. tree →

Note

Plural «teaspoons»; for the amount also «teaspoonful(s)». Abbreviation «tsp» (small t), tablespoon «tbsp» or «Tbsp». Maths: 1 teaspoon = 5 ml, 1 tablespoon = 15 ml (Australia uses a 20 ml tablespoon, so 4 teaspoons).