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

Lunch and dinner are served in spacious dining rooms outfitted with plush velvet, crisp white tablecloths, fine porcelain, and Italian silver. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2024

Pick up something special for your home at Sparrow House Interiors, which sells a wide range of artwork, tableware, antique porcelain and glass, lighting, and more. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2024

Old Hollywood movies, blue-and-white porcelain, Navajo rugs, Georgian antiques—Ralph Lauren’s interests are as wide-ranging as they are refined. —Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2024

In the coquette aesthetic, lace and crochet abound, ruffles and frills frolic throughout the home, mirrors and vintage prints dot the walls, and porcelain and ceramics rest on shelves. —Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2024

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