tablespoon

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree English table English spoon English tablespoon From table + spoon.

1. A large spoon, used for eating food from a bowl.

   “Their eggs were deposited on a few bits of straw, and great caution was necessary in attempting to procure them, as the slightest touch crumbled their frail tenement into dust. By means of a tablespoon, I was enabled to procure many of them.”

2. A spoon too large for eating, usually used for cooking or serving.
3. A unit of volume, the value of which varies regionally; in the US: three teaspoons or one half fluid ounce or roughly 15 ml; in Britain and Canada: exactly 15 ml; in Russia 18 ml; in Australia: four teaspoons or 20 ml.

   “1995 May 22, Salad Recipes, New York, page 51, Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a nonstick skillet until hot and quickly saute the goat-cheese buttons on both sides until brown.”

   “In Australia, 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml, and there are 4 teaspoons in the Australian tablespoon.”