tea ball

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.

tea ball

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tea ball¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Strain the thyme out unless you use a tea ball.

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

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Holmes and Benton say leaves can expand up to five times their original dry volume when wet, which is important to keep in mind if you’re using a tea ball or infuser tongs.

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Dear Heloise: I've found some new ideas for a tea ball, such as placing a bay leaf in it and suspending it in soups and stews to get the flavor but not the herb.

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See a metal-caged severed head swing from a chain like a gruesome tea ball!

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