ceramic

1 of 2

adjective

ce·​ram·​ic sə-ˈra-mik How to pronounce ceramic (audio)
 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 How to pronounce ceramic (audio)
 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for ceramic

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ceramic was in 1850

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Cite this Entry

“Ceramic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceramic. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

ceramic

1 of 2 adjective
ce·​ram·​ic sə-ˈram-ik How to pronounce ceramic (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on ceramic

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