terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta ˌter-ə-ˈkä-tə 

often attributive

1

: a glazed or unglazed fired clay used especially for statuettes and vases and architectural purposes (as for roofing, facing, and relief ornamentation)

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Examples of terra-cotta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In excavating Pompeii, archaeologists discovered kilns full of unfired terra-cotta vases beneath mountains of ash. —Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026

Against the cottage, a vintage table serves as both potting station and decorative moment, with terra-cotta pots standing out against the wall. —Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2026

If the search for a large outdoor planter exhausts you—just get a terra-cotta planter. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Apr. 2026

Her aim was to reinvigorate Cyprus's crafts—reshaping earth red terra-cotta jugs into glazed tableware and sculptural vases, or placing Lefkara lace on linen separates and bags. —Selina Denman, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian terra cotta, literally, baked earth

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for terra-cotta

• biota
• iota
• lakota
• nonquota
• ricotta
• chota
• cota
• quota

Kids Definition

terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta

ˌter-ə-ˈkät-ə

plural terra-cottas

1

: a glazed or unglazed baked clay used for pottery, statues, and building materials

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Etymology

from Italian terra cotta, literally "baked earth," derived from Latin terra "earth" and Latin coquere "to cook"