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

In 1917, Marcel Duchamp turned a porcelain urinal into art with Fountain, challenging the traditional confines of the art world at the time. —Natalie Stoclet, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Formerly called Richard Ginori, for nearly 300 years its artisans have been producing luxury porcelain tableware and other elements for the home, partnering with artists and luxury brands. —Sofia Celeste, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024

At times, beautiful objects must have seemed the only constants: porcelain, pearl necklaces, Louis XIV furniture, Old Master oils. —Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024

Watson imbues Valya with the warmth of gazpacho and the charm of a cursed porcelain doll. —Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024

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