Synonyms

tea service

American

noun

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

tea service British

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of tea service

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

Traditional tea service has been ramped up with the opening of the Rose Garden Tea Room.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2023

She opens her home every Friday and Saturday in April during tulip season for tea service, alongside annual tea events for holidays, corporate retreats and private events.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2022

A little dainty old lady took care of me, moving starchily with a silver tea service on a tray and bringing me a glass of elderberry wine each evening for my health’s sake.

From "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023