pottery

noun

pot·​tery ˈpä-tə-rē 

plural potteries

1

: a place where clayware is made and fired

2

a

: the art or craft of the potter

b

: the manufacture of clayware

3

: clayware

especially : earthenware as distinguished from porcelain and stoneware and from brick and tile

Synonyms

• ceramics

Examples of pottery in a Sentence

He has collected pottery for years.

She was a painter for years before she discovered pottery.

Recent Examples on the Web

The same hands that shape the region's famous barro negro pottery and weave textiles dyed with cochineal from local cactus insects now work with architects to create these contemporary structures. —Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2025

There will also be a vast collection of authentic Mata Ortiz pottery, according to event organizers. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2025

The 39th Firefly Art Fair will feature both new and returning artists showing paintings, pottery, ceramics, glass, basketry, jewelry, fiber art, mosaics, photography, pen and ink drawings, metal work and wood. —Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025

Officials believe the human skeleton inside the tomb likely hasn’t survived, but goods like pottery or copper ornaments may still be buried inside, according to the PAP. —Irene Wright july 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pottery

• cautery
• lottery
• watery

Kids Definition

pottery

noun

pot·​tery ˈpät-ə-rē 

plural potteries

1

: a place where clay articles (as pots and vases) are made

2

: the art of the potter : ceramics

3

: articles made from clay that is shaped while moist and hardened by heat