bone china

noun

Definition of bone china

: translucent white china made with bone ash or calcium phosphate and characterized by whiteness

Examples of bone china in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The famed British version of afternoon tea can be as imposing as its fine bone china. — Richard Morgan, Star Tribune, "Tea is hot stuff. Here's how to start your own tea ritual," 9 Mar. 2021 This bone china design will become a treasured keepsake. — Harper's Magazine, "Gilded by Reason of Insanity," 24 Nov. 2020 This Mikasa 16-piece bone china set is currently half price and features delicate wildflowers on mugs, side plates, bowls and dinner plates. — Fiona Tapp, CNN Underscored, "Save Big During Bay Days at Hudson’s Bay," 21 Oct. 2020 Those models are museum pieces, shoved away in attics as relics along with bone china tea sets. — Max, Longreads, "Phone Call in The Age of Coronavirus," 12 May 2020 What differentiates bone china from all other ceramic materials is that it’s made out of an element that was once living. — Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, "This Restaurant Follows a Whole-Animal Philosophy...Meaning Even the Tableware Is Made From the Animals on Its Menu," 4 Feb. 2020 Woodland bird and animal watercolor drawings are printed on fine bone china. — Washington Post, "RIGHT AT HOME: Design and décor with British flair," 30 Oct. 2019 There have been sterling silver protractors, and tin cans, and even a greenhouse, as well as bone china to-go coffee cups in Tiffany blue. — Reed Krakoff, Town & Country, "Tiffany & Co. Wants to Change the Rules of How to Wear a Diamond," 27 Nov. 2018 Tablewear is made in unique materials, such as fine bone china, crystal, and porcelain. — Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "Bringing Home Blumarine," 30 Apr. 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bone china.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about bone china

Dictionary Entries near bone china

bone conduction

Statistics for bone china

Last Updated

24 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Bone china.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bone%20china. Accessed 15 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for bone china

bone china

noun

English Language Learners Definition of bone china

: thin white plates, bowls, cups, etc., made from clay and crushed bones

See the full definition for bone china in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Comments on bone china

What made you want to look up bone china? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

heinous

Listen to the pronunciation of heinous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Choose the best definition or synonym for the word in bold: "There are some eructations that sound like cheers—at least, mine did." Lolita

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ