porcelain

noun

por·​ce·​lain ˈpȯr-s(ə-)lən How to pronounce porcelain (audio)
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
porcelainlike adjective
porcelaneous adjective
or porcellaneous

Examples of porcelain in a Sentence

The bowl is made of porcelain.
Recent Examples on the Web For less than $8, this simple porcelain dish is both dishwasher and microwave-safe (except for the lid). Jenna Clark, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2024 Her culture-shifting porcelain doll look at the Maison Margiela Couture show set the industry ablaze and catalyzed a global push to recreate her elevated take on the glass skin trend. Akili King, Essence, 19 Sep. 2024 Custom porcelain feather tiles, a custom mosaic mural, and a stunning array of Japanese artwork, create a zen, gallery-like experience. Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024 There are tea sets in gold, porcelain, silver; tea cups in the paintings on the wall; and perhaps my favorite of all, a plastic red tea set on an unassuming tray in the staff area. Maria Geyman, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for porcelain 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'porcelain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of porcelain was circa 1530

Dictionary Entries Near porcelain

Cite this Entry

“Porcelain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porcelain. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

porcelain

noun
por·​ce·​lain ˈpōr-s(ə-)lən How to pronounce porcelain (audio)
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- How to pronounce porcelain (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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