china

noun

chi·​na ˈchī-nə 

1

: porcelain

also : vitreous porcelain wares (such as dishes, vases, or ornaments) for domestic use

2

: earthenware or porcelain tableware

Examples of china in a Sentence

She uses her good china when she has company for dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Neeson also uses his size and his vigilante-movie reputation to incredible effect, adapting more of a bull-in-a-china-shop energy than Leslie Nielsen’s previous cluelessness. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

The china gleamed, the Waterford sparkled, and the silver was polished. —Peter Folan, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

This can help preserve the luster and appearance of your fine china by not exposing it to the harsher chemicals found in heavier duty formulas. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2025

Guests will be treated to table settings featuring vintage china and silver as well as delicate doilies. —Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Persian chīnī Chinese porcelain

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing china

• a bull in a china shop
• bone china
• china clay
• china closet
• ironstone china
• stone china

Rhymes for china

• angina
• vagina
• yaquina

Kids Definition

china

noun

chi·​na ˈchī-nə 

1

: porcelain

2

: dishes of pottery or porcelain for use as tableware

Geographical Definition

China

geographical name

Chi·​na ˈchī-nə 

variants or officially People's Republic of China

country of eastern Asia bordering on the Pacific; the most populous country in the world; a republic whose capital is Beijing area 3,705,407 square miles (9,596,960 square kilometers), population 1,384,689,000

see also chinese