What does tablespoon mean?
A tablespoon is a noun with two closely related uses. It can mean a large spoon for serving or eating at the table, larger than a teaspoon, or it can denote the amount such a spoon holds. In contemporary British and American recipes, one tablespoon is conventionally treated as about 15 millilitres, although national and historical measures differ; Australian recipe writers commonly use 20 millilitres for a tablespoon, and precise sources state the volume explicitly. The abbreviation tbsp. is common on ingredient lists and in instructions such as “add one tablespoon.” Because the word can refer both to an implement and to a measure, it sometimes causes minor ambiguity, though context usually resolves it. Less commonly, tablespoon can be used as a verb, meaning to scoop or serve something with a tablespoon. The word is practical rather than ornamental, yet its simple history connects an everyday dining utensil with a conventional unit that regularly shapes how recipes are prepared.
A large spoon used for serving or eating at the table. The term also denotes a customary volume measure, usually about 15 millilitres in US cooking, with regional differences.
"Pour one tablespoon of olive oil into the pan."
In recipe writing, tablespoon is often abbreviated tbsp. National and historical measures may differ, so millilitre equivalents should be checked when precision matters.
To scoop, serve, or transfer something using a tablespoon.
"Tablespoon the sauce over the roasted vegetables."
This use is uncommon and chiefly occurs in recipes or literal descriptions of serving food.
The plural is used when referring to multiple spoons or multiple quantities of the measure.
"Two tablespoons of olive oil were added to the mixture."
A “tablespoon” began as a spoon for the table—before it became the instruction that quietly determines how much sugar enters your cake.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tablespoon come from?
Tablespoon is an English compound of table and spoon. It originally referred to a spoon used at the dining table and later also denoted the volume of such a spoon when used as a cooking measure. The related word spoonful uses the same spoon root but follows a different compounding pattern.
Related word forms
How tablespoon is actually used
Tablespoon measures vary between countries and historical contexts. British recipes commonly treat one tablespoon as 15 millilitres, while Australian recipes commonly use 20 millilitres; readers should follow the measure specified by a particular source. The verb use is uncommon and appears mainly in recipes or literal descriptions.
Easily confused with tablespoon
A teaspoon is smaller and conventionally holds about 5 millilitres, whereas a tablespoon holds about 15 millilitres in US culinary use.