terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta ˌter-ə-ˈkä-tə 

often attributive

1

: a glazed or unglazed fired clay used especially for statuettes and vases and architectural purposes (as for roofing, facing, and relief ornamentation)

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Examples of terra-cotta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The soldiers, gifts from the sister city of Xi’an, China, are replicas of some of the 7,000 life-sized terra-cotta warriors found at the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. — Eric Adler june 24, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026

The Art Nouveau design incorporates ceiling frescoes, terra-cotta floors, and intricate woodwork. — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 19 June 2026

Its finicky drainage needs are easier to manage in a pot, and lavender always looks fantastic in a large terra-cotta planter. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2026

In this iteration, the cylindrical bulk of Madison Square Garden acquires a certain classical nobility, wrapped in terra-cotta tiles that glitter through a corset of stone ribs. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian terra cotta, literally, baked earth

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for terra-cotta

• biota
• iota
• lakota
• nonquota
• ricotta
• chota
• cota
• quota

Kids Definition

terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta

ˌter-ə-ˈkät-ə

plural terra-cottas

1

: a glazed or unglazed baked clay used for pottery, statues, and building materials

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Etymology

from Italian terra cotta, literally "baked earth," derived from Latin terra "earth" and Latin coquere "to cook"