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

Designed by Dorothée Meilichzon, the kiosk will evoke the silhouette of the brand’s Chapeau candle and enable visitors to discover and purchase the tome published by ERG Media, as well as the Buongiorno porcelain plate designed by Italian artist Matteo Cibic. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026

Furnishings have been refreshed with natural wood and stone, porcelain and vegan leather, along with layered textures and neutral tones inspired by Denver’s landscape. —Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026

All 23 rooms and suites feature porcelain fittings, original wooden floors, and period antiques. —Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026

Inspired by 17th-to-19th-century European travel—and founder Elad Yifrach’s own trips, including to Rome’s Villa Borghese—the 16-piece porcelain line leans into a sense of escape. —Air Mail, 11 Apr. 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