china

noun

chi·​na ˈchī-nə 

1

: porcelain

also : vitreous porcelain wares (such as dishes, vases, or ornaments) for domestic use

2

: earthenware or porcelain tableware

Examples of china in a Sentence

She uses her good china when she has company for dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

These are perfect for dining al fresco—unexpected but so chic mixed with more formal china—elegant but casual. —Sophie Aliece Hollis, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2024

After the elephants have trashed your china, keep your eye on him. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2023

Designed with open shelves, this cart can serve as a stylish way to highlight your special china or quality pots and pans without taking up any extra cabinet space. —Michelle Love, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2024

And even more importantly: don’t put your precious china on it. —Jermaine Gallacher, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Persian chīnī Chinese porcelain

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing china

• a bull in a china shop
• bone china
• china clay
• china closet
• ironstone china
• stone china

Kids Definition

china

noun

chi·​na ˈchī-nə 

1

: porcelain

2

: dishes of pottery or porcelain for use as tableware

Geographical Definition

China

geographical name

Chi·​na ˈchī-nə 

variants or officially People's Republic of China

country of eastern Asia bordering on the Pacific; the most populous country in the world; a republic whose capital is Beijing area 3,705,407 square miles (9,596,960 square kilometers), population 1,384,689,000

see also chinese