ceramic

1 of 2

adjective

ce·​ram·​ic sə-ˈra-mik 

 especially British  kə-

: 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

ceramic

2 of 2

noun

1

ceramics sə-ˈra-miks 

 especially British  kə-

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

2

: a product of ceramic manufacture

Examples of ceramic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Stephenson explained that the shingles in the image appeared to be asphalt-based with a fiberglass core and ceramic granules—materials typically expected to last between 20 and 30 years. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025

Rashid Johnson’s Two Standing Broken Men (2018), made of ceramic tile and oyster shells, also exceeded expectations, selling for $1.8 million, above its $1.2 million high estimate. —Robb Report, 18 May 2025

Noun

After a speech by chief executive officer Jean-Christophe Babin, guests took their seats at the dinner tables, set with Caltagirone ceramics, neo-antique statues and rich compositions of local fruit to emphasize the colorful boldness of the Polychroma high jewelry collection. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 20 May 2025

Pieces of a 19th century Chinese ceramic were also found in 2023 on the beach near the wreck site. —Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek keramikos, from keramos potter's clay, pottery

First Known Use

Adjective

1850, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ceramic

• dynamic
• thalamic
• aerodynamic
• geodynamic
• haemodynamic
• hemodynamic
• hydrodynamic
• hypothalamic
• photodynamic
• psychodynamic
• spinothalamic
• thermodynamic

Kids Definition

ceramic

1 of 2 adjective

ce·​ram·​ic sə-ˈram-ik 

: of or relating to the manufacture of a product (as earthenware, porcelain, or brick) made from a nonmetallic mineral by heating at high temperatures

ceramic

2 of 2 noun

1

plural : the art of making ceramic articles

2

: a product of ceramic manufacture