# tablespoon

/ˈteɪbəɫˌspun/ (US) · /tˈeɪbəlspˌuːn/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tablespoon
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a large spoon used for serving food or for measuring ingredients when you cook. It is bigger than a teaspoon.

For teachers: a large spoon used for serving food or as a unit of measurement in culinary contexts. In cooking, it typically represents a volume of 15 millilitres.

## Examples

- Add one tablespoon of sugar to the mixture.
- The recipe calls for a tablespoon of olive oil to be heated in the pan before adding the onions.
- While a standard tablespoon in the United States holds exactly half a fluid ounce, historical sets may vary slightly in volume depending on their country of origin.

## Pitfalls

- Not "two tablespoon of salt" but "two tablespoons of salt" — When used as a unit of measurement, the word must be pluralized if the amount is greater than one.

## Usage notes

- Often abbreviated as 'tbsp' or 'T' in written recipes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.