porcelain

noun por·ce·lain \ ˈpȯr-s(ə-)lən \

Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of porcelain

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

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porcelainlike

play \ˈpȯr-s(ə-)lən-ˌlīk\ adjective

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porcelaneous

or porcellaneous play \ˌpȯr-sə-ˈlā-nē-əs\ adjective

See porcelain defined for English-language learners

See porcelain defined for kids

Examples of porcelain in a Sentence

The bowl is made of porcelain.

Recent Examples of porcelain from the Web

Prices reached record highs for seven artists and items including a porcelain set and a swan decoy.

— CBS News, "Rockefeller auction nets record $832 million," 12 May 2018
When Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married in 1947, for example, the couple was showered with gifts from leaders around the world: crystal candlesticks from Sweden, porcelain horse figurines from West Germany, carpets from India, and more.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "The Long and Often Bizarre History of Royal Wedding Gifts," 9 May 2018
Other updated rooms include a parlor off the kitchen that's perfect for pre-dinner drinks or gatherings, and the main-level powder room that features a floating marble sink and dark porcelain tiles that add contrast to the small space.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "See the ultra-modern transformation of one traditional home," 17 Apr. 2018
Details are kept secret but the story will once again focus on the porcelain doll that is possessed by a demonic force.

— borys kit, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Annabelle: Creation' Sequel in the Works With Gary Dauberman Directing (Exclusive)," 27 Apr. 2018
Mercedes-Benz is considering extending its ultra-luxury Maybach badge with a crossover, complete with a porcelain tea service embedded in a heatable ebony-wood tray, to take on high-end competitors such as Bentley’s sought-after Bentayga SUV.

— Fortune, "Mercedes-Benz Aims at Billionaires With New Maybach Crossover," 24 Apr. 2018
Post collected all sorts of items, but the largest single category in Hillwood’s Russian collection is porcelain.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "Hunting for the art squirrels of Washington: Artists have rendered the critters in all sorts of ways," 20 Apr. 2018
This porcelain pair from Japanese maker Hasami easily stacks, so there’s more room for the important things, like her extensive coffee cup collection.

— ashley mason, Bon Appetit, "9 Mother's Day Gifts for Every Kind of Foodie Mom," 19 Apr. 2018
Twenty-five dollars is peanuts to pay for an afternoon admiring treasures including Bronze Era jewelry and Ming Dynasty porcelain to Rembrandt portraits.

— cnt editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why All Major Museums Should Be Free," 19 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'porcelain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of porcelain

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1530

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

PORCELAIN Defined for English Language Learners

porcelain

noun

Definition of porcelain for English Language Learners

: a hard, white substance that is very delicate and that is made by baking clay

PORCELAIN Defined for Kids

porcelain

noun por·ce·lain \ ˈpȯr-sə-lən \

Definition of porcelain for Students

: a hard white product of baked clay used especially for dishes, tile, and decorative objects

Medical Dictionary

porcelain

noun por·ce·lain \ ˈpōr-s(ə-)lən, ˈpȯr- \

medical Definition of porcelain

: 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