spoon

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: an eating or cooking implement consisting of a small shallow bowl with a relatively long handle
b
: spoonful
two spoons of sugar
2
: something (such as a tool or fishing lure) that resembles a spoon in shape

spoon

2 of 2

verb

spooned; spooning; spoons

transitive verb

: to take up and usually transfer in a spoon

intransitive verb

1
: to nestle close together while lying down with one person facing the back of another
2
[perh. from the Welsh custom of an engaged man's presenting his fiancée with an elaborately carved wooden spoon] : to engage in amorous caressing, kissing, and conversation : neck

Examples of spoon in a Sentence

Noun an assortment of metal and wooden spoons should be part of every cook's culinary arsenal Verb She spooned the gravy onto her potatoes. He spooned the ice cream into a bowl.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Using a slotted spoon, remove the mixture from the pan, leaving the fat in the pan. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024 Such an experience is not limited to tennis rackets but includes every tool humans create and master: brooms, rakes, spoons, fishing rods, needles, saws, pencils, paintbrushes, saxophones, computer mice, prosthetics, wheelchairs and far more. Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 When working with dye or food coloring, be sure to use bowls and spoons made from nonporous material. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024 An elaborate place setting might call for a total of nine forks, spoons and knives, each with a specialized mission (e.g., fish, entree, salad, soup, oysters, cake) and alignment around the plate. Ligaya Mishan Kyoko Hamada, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 At the end of 10 minutes, remove the lid and use two large spoons to quickly turn the rice from top to bottom. Debbie Moose, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Use a spoon to dab or drizzle it onto the rice (not the chicken). Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024 Jessie was hit so hard, my father broke the bowl of the wooden spoon on her. Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2024 Cook for 2 minutes, then stir in the beef and cook, using a wooden spoon to break up the meat into smaller pieces, until brown, 5–7 minutes. Farideh Sadeghin, Saveur, 8 Feb. 2024
Verb
The show begins with Henry on a blanket, spooning with his partner, Douglas (Ahmad Simmons). Melena Ryzik, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 There's also nothing wrong with spooning fresh raspberry sauce over each slice. Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2024 Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper, then spoon on to a serving platter. 2. Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 26 Feb. 2024 Pipe or spoon a tablespoon of the filling into each pickled egg white half. Bonnie S. Benwick, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Season the yogurt with salt and the rest of the cumin and spoon it onto a plate. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2024 Oysters are spooned over with caviar and served with a champagne rescued from a shipwreck on the ocean floor. Emily Heil, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 Then spoon a delicious glaze over top—this recipe uses brown sugar, preserves, and whole-grain mustard. Jorie Nicole McDonald, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2024 If desired, for a smooth sauce, blend the sauce using an immersion blender, or allow to cool slightly, then spoon to a blender. Kathy Mooreand, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spoon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English spōn splinter, chip; akin to Old High German spān splinter, chip

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1715, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of spoon was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near spoon

Cite this Entry

“Spoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spoon. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spoon

1 of 2 noun
1
: a utensil with a small shallow bowl and a handle that is used especially in eating and cooking
2
: something (as a fishing lure) that resembles a spoon in shape

spoon

2 of 2 verb
: to take up in or as if in a spoon
Etymology

Noun

Old English spōn "a chip of wood"

More from Merriam-Webster on spoon

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