pottery

noun

pot·​tery ˈpä-tə-rē 

plural potteries

1

: a place where clayware is made and fired

2

a

: the art or craft of the potter

b

: the manufacture of clayware

3

: clayware

especially : earthenware as distinguished from porcelain and stoneware and from brick and tile

Synonyms of pottery

• ceramics

Examples of pottery in a Sentence

He has collected pottery for years.

She was a painter for years before she discovered pottery.

Recent Examples on the Web

Place thin plastic pots on the top rack and heavier pottery and terracotta ones in the lower rack. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026

Ceramic clays tend to be earthen clays, primarily used when constructing dishware or decorative pottery. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

Learn to use a pottery wheel at the Institute of Contemporary Art North. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026

Warm yellow lends itself well to color drenching a utilitarian space such as a laundry room, but also makes for a fun accent color for throw pillows or decorative pottery. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pottery

• cautery
• lottery
• watery

Kids Definition

pottery

noun

pot·​tery ˈpät-ə-rē 

plural potteries

1

: a place where clay articles (as pots and vases) are made

2

: the art of the potter : ceramics

3

: articles made from clay that is shaped while moist and hardened by heat