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
Examples of porcelain in a Sentence
The bowl is made of porcelain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Since the pumice can scratch some surfaces, only use it on porcelain toilet bowls and not plastic seats or polished fixtures.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
This includes a beautiful set of glass candlesticks from my best friend, a few small votive holders, and a set of matches in a porcelain striker that’s too cute to be in a cabinet anyway.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Her makeup, with the exception of her matte lipstick, was even-toned and glowy; her skin like a porcelain doll.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
For much of the nineteenth century, dolls were made at home from corn husks, clothing scraps, and the like, or produced from expensive, fragile bisque porcelain and kept high up on shelves to be admired by grownup collectors, not pawed by clumsy kids.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for porcelain
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Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
This includes a beautiful set of glass candlesticks from my best friend, a few small votive holders, and a set of matches in a porcelain striker that’s too cute to be in a cabinet anyway.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Her makeup, with the exception of her matte lipstick, was even-toned and glowy; her skin like a porcelain doll.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
For much of the nineteenth century, dolls were made at home from corn husks, clothing scraps, and the like, or produced from expensive, fragile bisque porcelain and kept high up on shelves to be admired by grownup collectors, not pawed by clumsy kids.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for porcelain
Cite this Entry
“Porcelain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porcelain. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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