porcelain

noun

por·​ce·​lain ˈpȯr-s(ə-)lən 

1

: a hard, fine-grained, sonorous, nonporous, and usually translucent and white ceramic ware that consists essentially of kaolin, quartz, and a feldspathic rock and is fired at a high temperature

called also hard-paste porcelain, true porcelain

2

: soft-paste porcelain

porcelainlike

ˈpȯr-s(ə-)lən-ˌlīk 

adjective

porcelaneous adjective

or porcellaneous

ˌpȯr-sə-ˈlā-nē-əs 

Examples of porcelain in a Sentence

The bowl is made of porcelain.

Recent Examples on the Web

Yang’s visual language is rich with symbolism and personal mythology: wigs, porcelain, insects, dumplings, and blue forget-me-not petals become narrative anchors, weaving together stories of memory, identity, and legacy. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

That random coffee shop that had the most exquisite collection of Arita porcelain and stacks of explicit manga. —Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025

According to the outlet, some composite resin veneers can cost about $250 per tooth and last around five years, while porcelain veneers can go for as much as $2,500 per tooth and last much longer. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 9 June 2025

Participants can also spend a half day touring Fukuoka, take a day trip to Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain, and sample local whiskey with an expert. —Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French porcelaine cowrie shell, porcelain, from Italian porcellana, from porcello vulva, literally, little pig, from Latin porcellus, diminutive of porcus pig, vulva; from the shape of the shell — more at farrow

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing porcelain

• hard-paste porcelain
• porcelain enamel
• soft-paste porcelain
• true porcelain

Kids Definition

porcelain

noun

por·​ce·​lain ˈpōr-s(ə-)lən 

ˈpȯr-

: a hard white ceramic ware used especially for dishes and chemical utensils

Medical Definition

porcelain

noun

por·​ce·​lain ˈpōr-s(ə-)lən, ˈpȯr- 

: a hard, fine-grained, nonporous, and usually translucent and white ceramic ware that consists essentially of kaolin, quartz, and feldspar and that has many uses in dentistry