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”; use

Example Sentences

Cooper climbed onto a table and began moving ketchup bottles, utensils and cups around as if they were different types of ships and military equipment engaged in a real-world scenario.

From The Wall Street Journal

The virus can spread through close contact with someone who is infected, such as by sharing food or eating utensils.

From Los Angeles Times

Signs of civilian life, including a children's colouring book, paintings and cooking utensils, were among the debris.

From BBC

My meal came with metal utensils and a cloth napkin.

From The Wall Street Journal

Klenam was in the outdoor kitchen ladling soup into bowls, and Mawuli was washing the pans and utensils they had used for the soap making.

From Literature

Related Words

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