utensil

UK: /juːˈtɛns^əl/ US: /juˈtɛnsəl/ ,(yo̅o̅ ten′səl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

u•ten•sil /yuˈtɛnsəl/   n. 

[countable]
1. an instrument, container, or other object commonly used in a kitchen, dairy, etc.:
   eating utensils.
2. any instrument, container, or tool serving a useful purpose:
   farming utensils.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

u•ten•sil  (yo̅o̅ ten′səl), n. 

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.

• Latin ūtēnsilia, neuter plural of ūtēnsilis useful, derivative of ūtī to use
• Middle French utensile
• Middle English (collective singular): household articles 1325–75

Synonyms

• 2. See tool. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

utensil / juːˈtɛnsəl/ noun

1. an implement, tool, or container for practical use: writing utensils

Etymology: 14th Century utensele, via Old French from Latin ūtēnsilia necessaries, from ūtēnsilis available for use, from ūtī to use