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

2

: soft-paste porcelain

porcelainlike

ˈpȯr-s(ə-)lən-ˌlīk 

adjective

porcelaneous adjective

or porcellaneous

ˌpȯr-sə-ˈlā-nē-əs 

Examples of porcelain in a Sentence

The bowl is made of porcelain.

Recent Examples on the Web

After her death, the baron gave his companion Pauline’s bed, a pair of simple blue-and-white espadrilles, and two blue-and-white porcelain bowls. —Ralph Rucci, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2025

In one especially memorable case, a woman was searching for a porcelain vase — her grandmother’s heirloom brought from overseas. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Her siu mai pork dumplings, which in their edible form are a centerpiece of dim sum, can be made with personalized details like little chopsticks or a dollop of porcelain fish roe on top. —Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2025

Upgrade yours to this gorgeous enameled porcelain set that comes in six colors. —Clint Davis, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing porcelain

• hard-paste porcelain
• porcelain enamel
• soft-paste porcelain
• true porcelain

Kids 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