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

Toilets are mostly made with a porcelain glaze that can attract more bacteria over time once harsh cleaners start to wear down this protective finish. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 24 May 2026

The restaurants have handmade porcelain crockery and luxury Riedel glassware. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026

Toilet-Specific Snake Make sure to use a plumbing snake designed for toilets (toilet or closet auger) to prevent damage to the porcelain toilet bowl. —Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 21 May 2026

During his speech last month, de Meo cautioned that Kering’s underperforming brands — which include McQueen, menswear company Brioni, porcelain maker Ginori 1735 and jeweler Pomellato — have two years to return to profitability. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 20 May 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