utensil

American  

[yoo-ten-suhl] / yuˈtɛn səl /

noun

1. any of the instruments or vessels commonly used in a kitchen, dairy, etc..

   eating utensils; baking utensils.

2. any instrument, vessel, or tool serving a useful purpose.

   smoking utensils; fishing utensils; farming utensils.

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utensil British  

/ juːˈtɛnsəl /

noun

1. an implement, tool, or container for practical use

   writing utensils

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Usage

What are other ways to say utensil? A utensil refers to any instrument or vessel serving a useful purpose, especially those commonly used in a kitchen. When should you use this noun over tool, instrument, or implement? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.

Etymology

Origin of utensil

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English (collective singular): “household articles,” from Middle French utensile, from Latin ūtēnsilia, neuter plural of ūtēnsilis “useful,” derivative of ūtī “to use”; see origin at use

Explanation

A utensil is a tool you can hold in your hand and use around the house. In the kitchen, common utensils are the knives, forks, and spoons that we hold in our hands and use to eat. The word utensil comes from the Latin utensilia meaning "things for use." A pen is a writing utensil. A spatula is a cooking utensil. A scrub brush is a cleaning utensil. A knife is a cutting utensil. All of these objects can be held in your hand and are used to get something done.

Example Sentences

Invented by a Briton named Major A. R. Bannister, it arrived in the U. S. by way of Canada where it was snapped up by small energetic Club Aluminum Utensil Co. of Chicago.

From Time Magazine Archive

Him I pronounce a Paltroon, and an ignominious Utensil, that dare lay claim to the renowned Lady of my Primum Mobile; that is, my best Affections.

From The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume III by Summers, Montague

Nay, we'll do things decently, d'ye see— Therefore, thou sometimes necessary Utensil, withdraw.

From The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume II by Summers, Montague

Utensil, ū-ten′sil, n. an instrument or vessel used in common life.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

We could not discover that they had any Head or Chief or Form of Government, neither have they any useful or necessary Utensil except it be a Bag or Basket to gather their Muscels into.

From Captain Cook's Journal During the First Voyage Round the World by Cook, James

Related Words

• appliance
• equipment
• fork
• gadget
• instrument
• knife
• silverware
• tableware
• ware