tea ball

American  

noun

1. a small ball of perforated metal or other material in which tea leaves are placed to be immersed in hot water to make tea.

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tea ball British  

noun

1. a perforated metal ball filled with tea leaves and put in boiling water to make tea

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Etymology

Origin of tea ball

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Strain the thyme out unless you use a tea ball.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 20, 2024

Pour the contents of the simmered pot, including the tea ball, into the mixture of cold water and soy sauce.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 14, 2021

Add tea ball to the pot, and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 14, 2021

"Somebody throw another tea ball in that poor guy's tea," bellowed Gleason.

From Time Magazine Archive

The tea ball, which is in the little glass, is filled with tea and the boiling water is poured over it into each cup.

From Woman's Institute Library of Cookery Volume 5: Fruit and Fruit Desserts; Canning and Drying; Jelly Making, Preserving and Pickling; Confections; Beverages; the Planning of Meals by Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences