porcelain

noun

por·​ce·​lain ˈpȯr-s(ə-)lən How to pronounce porcelain (audio)
Synonyms of porcelainnext
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 How to pronounce porcelain (audio)
adjective
porcelaneous adjective
or porcellaneous
ˌpȯr-sə-ˈlā-nē-əs How to pronounce porcelain (audio)

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.
Nothing remained except for pieces of her porcelain ceramics. — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 In one 2018 lecture for the American Association of Political Consultants, Taylor described political candidates as akin to readymades, referencing Duchamp’s famed invention, which includes Fountain (1917), a porcelain urinal–cum–sculpture. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 28 July 2026 Another new addition to the World Heritage List was the handicraft porcelain industry sites in China’s Jingdezhen. — ABC News, 25 July 2026 Behind the two men is an antique-style table with dragons decorating the legs, upon which sit two porcelain bird statues and a small pot filled with purple and white flowers. — Ben Jureidini, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026 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

Phrases Containing porcelain

Browse Nearby Words

porcate
porcelain
porcelain ampelopsis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Porcelain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porcelain. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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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
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