tea service

American  

noun

1. a set of chinaware for preparing and drinking hot beverages, especially tea.

2. a set of silver or other metalware for preparing and serving hot beverages, especially tea.

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tea service British  

noun

1. the china or pottery articles used in serving tea, including a teapot, cups, saucers, etc

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Etymology

Origin of tea service

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tea service

If your schedule allows, don’t miss the hotel’s afternoon tea service, which includes live piano accompaniment and fills up quickly.

From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026

By the time it reached final inspection it had acquired a cloak of ruby-red metallic paint, diamond-white LED headlamps and a mouthful of metal grillework as bright as a tea service.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 2026

Kim gave Putin a traditional Korean sword, while the Russian leader gave Kim a sabre and a tea service suitable for use on his armoured train.

From Reuters ● Sep. 11, 2023

Perhaps what appear to be stiff formalities of the traditional English tea service are actually rules enforced for everyone’s safety.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 22, 2023

As Cook handed her the tea service, which was somehow even heavier than the oatmeal tray, she’d made certain to warn Ophie that the dishes were valuable.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland