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

The ceramic material is also safe in the dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Types of modeling clay There are a variety of modeling clays available, from water-based to oil-based to ceramic clays. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

Noun

Flamingo Island Flea Market has 600 vendors selling everything from handmade ceramics to plastic flamingos. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2026

Based on ceramics found scattered across the site, archaeologists estimate a date of abandonment around the 2nd century CE. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026

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