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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Slice in half: Use a large knife to cut through the melon from end to end. Scoop: Use a large spoon to scoop out and remove the seeds from each half. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 July 2025 Strain the juice through a mesh strainer, pressing with the back of a spoon. Md Published, Verywell Health, 12 July 2025
Verb
Nestle cooked chicken into dish with tomato mixture; spoon juices over chicken. Josh Miller, Southern Living, 7 July 2025 Top each with about 3/4 cup of berries (with their syrup, as desired) then spoon the remaining cream evenly over the top of the berries. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for spoon

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

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Cite this Entry

“Spoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spoon. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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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