ceramic

adjective ce·ram·ic \ sə-ˈra-mik , especially British kə- \

|Updated on: 22 Jul 2018

Definition of ceramic

: of or relating to the manufacture of any product (such as earthenware, porcelain, or brick) made essentially from a nonmetallic mineral (such as clay) by firing at a high temperature; also : of or relating to such a product

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Recent Examples of ceramic from the Web

Native-American artists Cannupa Hanska Luger and Marty Two Bulls Jr., who are based in New Mexico, created a jumble of ceramic beer cans, bottles and guns.

— george fishman, miamiherald, "Monarchs ‘Brown and Native’ butterfly exhibit a response to contemporary events," 13 July 2018
Like Giddey's membrane reactors, the ceramic fuel cells sacrifice some efficiency for output.

— robert f. service, Science | AAAS, "Ammonia—a renewable fuel made from sun, air, and water—could power the globe without carbon," 12 July 2018
An incense burner and ceramic shards were also located among the remains.

— katherine lam, Fox News, "Mexico earthquake uncovers ancient temple hidden in damaged pyramid," 12 July 2018
David Yurman’s always been a fan of the pinkie ring and today the brand just added to their line with ceramic signet-style rings.

— sarah nechamkin, The Cut, "David Yurman Is Making Bright, Cheerful Pinkie Rings," 11 July 2018
Like anything else, there are good ceramic coatings and poor ones.

— bob weber, Philly.com, "Best way to protect a vehicle's paint is a wrap," 28 June 2018
The event features plated breakfast, a program hosted by Marc Ruiz, OE board member and senior partner at Oak Partners in Valparaiso, coffee bar and on-site Simply Amazing Market featuring client designed ceramic dishes for purchase.

— staff report, Post-Tribune, "Community news," 22 June 2018
The cups, hand-painted and signed, incorporate the artist’s signature blue and white in reference to traditional Asian ceramic glazes, Dutch Delftware and Blue Willow china patterns.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Take home art by Jiha Moon at Mennello special events," 3 July 2018
Devices like game machines and smartphones have hundreds of the part known as a multilayer ceramic capacitor.

— takashi mochizuki, WSJ, "Can’t Find a PlayStation 4? Blame It On a Part Barely Bigger Than a Speck," 29 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of ceramic

Greek keramikos, from keramos potter's clay, pottery

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1850

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

ceramic

noun

Definition of ceramic

1 ceramics plural in form but singular in construction : the art or process of making ceramic articles

2 : a product of ceramic manufacture

Recent Examples of ceramic from the Web

Art and design sit comfortably together here, including textiles, ceramics, glass, jewelry, furniture, photography and film.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New England museums to visit this summer and fall," 4 July 2018
And the other, the 2017 opening of Wifey, a Brooklyn pop-up that housed some of Shubuck’s ceramic, drawn, and floral work—along with a café featuring food from chefs Natasha Pickowicz and Ignacio Mattos.

— ella riley-adams, Vogue, "Simone Shubuck’s New Book Celebrates Her Many Creative Mediums," 30 June 2018
Naper Settlement was the perfect historic backdrop for artists to show off their wares, including ceramics, paintings and photography, jewelry, sculpture, fiber, wood and batik pieces.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Naperville club rolls out the red carpet for annual Fine Art Fair," 23 June 2018
Art Cottage in the Grassmarket: The working studio and art gallery features the work of five Texas artists in a variety of mediums such as sculpture, painting, ceramics, glass, watercolor and photography.

— michelle newman, San Antonio Express-News, "New Braunfels: Your guide to shopping, dining and hotels," 11 June 2018
Jewelry, English and European furniture, European ceramics, Chinese export porcelain, and silver and American decorative arts are also for sale.

— NBC News, "Massive Rockefeller family art auction opens with $646 million haul," 9 May 2018
The show also features arms and armor, ritual bronze vessels, jade ornaments, precious jewelry and ceramics.

— carol motsinger, Cincinnati.com, "This wonder of the world is now in Cincinnati," 20 Apr. 2018
There are also ceramics—since vases hold flowers—alongside horticultural engravings and objects from the garden like shears and watering cans.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "A new show of French garden art at the Met explores the politics of verdant leisure spaces.," 13 Apr. 2018
The set was designed to accommodate the 6-foot-9-inch Belton and is sprinkled with personal items, including his grandkids' photos and fiance Monica Pazmino's ceramics.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Grab a cookbook and join chef Kevin Belton in his new TV show," 3 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of ceramic

1859

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

CERAMIC Defined for English Language Learners

ceramic

adjective

Definition of ceramic for English Language Learners

: made of clay that has been heated to a very high temperature so that it becomes hard

CERAMIC Defined for Kids

ceramic

noun ce·ram·ic \ sə-ˈra-mik \

Definition of ceramic for Students

1 ceramics plural : the art of making things (as pottery or tiles) of baked clay

2 : a product made by baking clay

Learn More about ceramic

See words that rhyme with ceramic Spanish Central: Translation of ceramic Nglish: Translation of ceramic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ceramic for Arabic speakers

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ceramic

Definition of ceramic

Recent Examples of ceramic from the Web

Origin and Etymology of ceramic

ceramic

Definition of ceramic

Recent Examples of ceramic from the Web

First Known Use of ceramic

CERAMIC Defined for English Language Learners

ceramic

Definition of ceramic for English Language Learners

CERAMIC Defined for Kids

ceramic

Definition of ceramic for Students

Learn More about ceramic

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ceramic

Definition of ceramic

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Origin and Etymology of ceramic

ceramic

Definition of ceramic

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First Known Use of ceramic

CERAMIC Defined for English Language Learners

ceramic

Definition of ceramic for English Language Learners

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ceramic

Definition of ceramic for Students

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