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 glass pieces bear the hallmark of LSA International, one of Europe's leading brands of handmade glass and porcelain, and the couple purchased them for £11 ($14)—down from their original pricing of £50. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Its origins date back to 18th-century Paris when King Louis XV commissioned his court jeweller to create a diamond that resembled the smile of his official chief mistress—the Marchioness (and later Marquise) de Pompadour—who was known to have a fondness for truffle soup, champagne and porcelain. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024

Clay, ceramics, and porcelain are incredibly popular, as are other natural raw materials. —Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 5 Dec. 2024

Per Trees Atlanta, an organization dedicated to planting, conserving and educating the public about trees, one method for removing porcelain berry is to unwind the vine carefully from the branches and trunk, with gloves and clippers. —R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 1 Dec. 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