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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The porcelain, glass and steel structure was the first major commission for Meier, and earned him a host of awards including the American Institute of Architects National Honor Award for Achievement of Excellence in Architectural Design. Rima Suqi, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025 The classic ramekin appearance is a plain white porcelain/ceramic with ruffles along the sides. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 July 2025 The doll used in the Annabelle movies is a frightening-looking porcelain doll. Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025 Those with dry skin might prefer this glowy formula, as it's spiked with moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter and porcelain flower. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for porcelain

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Porcelain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porcelain. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!