scoop

A scoop is a tool with a shallow, bowl-shaped receptacle and a handle, designed to lift and transfer loose materials. Scoops vary widely in size and material, including metal, plastic, wood, and composite alloys. They are used in kitchens for ingredients and for serving ice cream, in laboratories for sampling, in gardening and construction for scooping soil or snow, and in food service for portioning ingredients.

In culinary contexts, several specialized scoops exist. An ice cream scoop combines a curved bowl with a release mechanism to deposit the frozen portion. Measuring scoops provide a standard amount of product, often labeled in teaspoons, tablespoons, or milliliters, and used for coffee, protein powder, cereals, or baking.

In journalism, scoop refers to an exclusive news story reported ahead of competitors. The verb "to scoop" means to obtain and publish such a story first, while "to be scooped" means another outlet published first.

The term can also function as a verb meaning to scoop out or up by using a scooping motion, as in scooping out seeds or water. Phrasal usage includes "scoop up" and "scoopful" to denote the amount carried by a scoop. The concept is versatile across industries, with the common thread being the action of lifting and transferring material with a concave implement.