utensil

A utensil is a hand tool used in food preparation, serving, or eating, and the term can also apply to implements used for other practical tasks. The word derives from the Latin utilis, meaning useful, and entered English in the 15th century.

Kitchen utensils are typically designed to handle tasks such as stirring, turning, lifting, and portioning. Common examples include spoons and forks, knives, ladles, spatulas, tongs, whisks, peelers, graters, pastry brushes, measuring cups and spoons, and rolling pins. Some utensils are specialized for pastry work, baking, or sauce preparation, while others are multipurpose.

Materials vary by purpose and era. Traditional utensils are made of wood or metal; modern examples frequently use plastic or silicone and heat-resistant composites. Wood is gentle on cookware but may absorb flavors and require thorough cleaning; metal utensils are durable but can scratch nonstick surfaces; silicone and heat-resistant plastics reduce surface damage and tolerate high temperatures.

Historically, utensils have evolved with cooking methods and dining customs. Early tools were simple, such as knives and wooden scoops. The development of metal cutlery and the later spread of specialized kitchen tools accompanied changes in dining etiquette and domestic technology.

Care and safety are considerations in utensil use. Many utensils are dishwasher-safe, but wooden and certain coated tools may require hand washing and thorough drying to prevent damage or bacterial growth. Appropriate material choice and maintenance help ensure longevity and food safety.

See also: cutlery, flatware, kitchenware, implements.