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

How can the original porcelain throne compete when the new one hosts the Oscars? —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026

Trim Details Slab backsplashes—the use of a single slab of marble, quartz, porcelain, or granite instead of backsplash tile—are hugely popular. —Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026

How To Clean Uncoated Cast-Iron Grates Most modern homes have enamel- or porcelain-covered cast-iron or steel stove grates. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026

This includes a beautiful set of glass candlesticks from my best friend, a few small votive holders, and a set of matches in a porcelain striker that’s too cute to be in a cabinet anyway. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026

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