china

noun

chi·​na ˈchī-nə 

1

: porcelain

also : vitreous porcelain wares (such as dishes, vases, or ornaments) for domestic use

2

: earthenware or porcelain tableware

Examples of china in a Sentence

She uses her good china when she has company for dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

While the sentimental value of her china is priceless and can never be matched, there are still plenty of legacy brands to shop gorgeous china sets from that maintain the premium quality of her original pieces in new patterns and upgraded designs. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026

Sadly, there's no china in the book. —Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025

Neeson also uses his size and his vigilante-movie reputation to incredible effect, adapting more of a bull-in-a-china-shop energy than Leslie Nielsen’s previous cluelessness. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

The china gleamed, the Waterford sparkled, and the silver was polished. —Peter Folan, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Persian chīnī Chinese porcelain

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing china

• a bull in a china shop
• bone china
• china clay
• china closet
• ironstone china
• stone china

Rhymes for china

• angina
• vagina
• yaquina

Kids Definition

china

noun

chi·​na ˈchī-nə 

1

: porcelain

2

: dishes of pottery or porcelain for use as tableware

Geographical Definition

China

geographical name

Chi·​na ˈchī-nə 

variants or officially People's Republic of China

country of eastern Asia bordering on the Pacific; the most populous country in the world; a republic whose capital is Beijing area 3,705,407 square miles (9,596,960 square kilometers), population 1,384,689,000

see also chinese