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

The ceramic and porcelain shards on the floor had been swept against the wall. —Samanta Schweblin, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025

Les Antiquités Bolduc is operated by a brother-sister duo who inherited the business from their parents and have curated a unique collection of items, from porcelain dishes and glass paperweights to vintage cameras, all beautifully displayed. —Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

To get stains out of a porcelain sink: Pour some baking soda into the bowl and add a little water. —Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025

More Pat McGrath Labs Skin Care & Makeup Products to Shop More About Pat McGrath’s Maison Margiela Porcelain Doll Makeup Look Redditors were quick to investigate potential products McGrath used to create the iconic Maison Margiela porcelain doll makeup look. —Claire Sullivan, WWD, 23 Jan. 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