a utensil for use in eating, stirring, measuring, ladling, etc., consisting of a small, shallow bowl with a handle.
any of various implements, objects, or parts resembling or suggesting this.
a spoonful.
Also called spoon bait .Angling. a lure used in casting or trolling for fish, consisting of a bright spoon-shaped piece of metal or the like, swiveled above one or more fishhooks, and revolving as it is drawn through the water.
Also called num·ber three wood .Golf. a club with a wooden head whose face has a greater slope than the brassie or driver, for hitting long, high drives from the fairway.
a curved piece projecting from the top of a torpedo tube to guide the torpedo horizontally and prevent it from striking the side of the ship from which it was fired.
(in spoon theory) a unit of energy that, once used, must be replenished before becoming available again.
verb (used with object)
to eat with, take up, or transfer in or as in a spoon.
to hollow out or shape like a spoon.
Games.
to push or shove (a ball) with a lifting motion instead of striking it soundly, as in croquet or golf.
to hit (a ball) up in the air, as in cricket.
Informal. to nestle in close contact with (another), as when both are lying on their sides with their knees drawn up, the back of one person tucked into the front of the other like the bowls of two spoons: He moved over and spooned her, pressing himself gently against her warm back as she slept.
Informal: Older Use. to show affection or love toward (someone) by kissing and caressing, especially in an openly sentimental manner.
verb (used without object)
Informal. (of two people) to nestle in close contact with one another, as when both are lying on their sides with their knees drawn up, the back of one person tucked into the front of the other like the bowls of two spoons: They spooned without shifting position the whole night through.
Informal: Older Use. to show affection or love by kissing and caressing, especially in an openly sentimental manner.
Games. to spoon a ball.
Angling. to fish with a spoon.
Idioms for spoon
born with a silver spoon in one's mouth, born into a wealthy family; having an inherited fortune: She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and never worked a day in her life.
Origin of spoon
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English spōn; cognate with Low German spon, German Span “chip,” Old Norse spōnn; akin to Greek sphḗn “wedge”
Pour it down the side, or put it in with the help of a spoon, so as to break the fall.
St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, October 1878, No. 12|Various
Mash with a spoon or a potato masher, adding the salt, butter, milk and paprika.
A Thousand Ways to Please a Husband|Louise Bennett Weaver
Penrod laid down his spoon again and moved his chair slightly back from the table.
Penrod|Booth Tarkington
In the performing of this test, a spoonful of the jelly is dipped from the pan and then poured from the spoon into the pan again.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
British Dictionary definitions for spoon
spoon
/ (spuːn) /
noun
a metal, wooden, or plastic utensil having a shallow concave part, usually elliptical in shape, attached to a handle, used in eating or serving food, stirring, etc
Also called: spoonbaitan angling lure for spinning or trolling, consisting of a bright piece of metal which swivels on a trace to which are attached a hook or hooks
golfa former name for a No. 3 wood
informala foolish or useless person
wooden spoonBritish another name for booby prize
rowinga type of oar blade that is curved at the edges and tip to gain a firm grip on the waterCompare spade 1 (def. 4)
be born with a silver spoon in one's mouthto inherit wealth or social standing
verb
(tr)to scoop up or transfer (food, liquid, etc) from one container to another with or as if with a spoon
(intr)slang, old-fashionedto kiss and cuddle
to hollow out (a cavity or spoon-shaped bowl) (in something)
sportto hit (a ball) with a weak lifting motion, as in golf, cricket, etc
Word Origin for spoon
Old English spōn splinter; related to Old Norse spōnn spoon, chip, Old High German spān