pottery

noun

pot·​tery ˈpä-tə-rē 

plural potteries

1

: a place where clayware is made and fired

2

a

: the art or craft of the potter

b

: the manufacture of clayware

3

: clayware

especially : earthenware as distinguished from porcelain and stoneware and from brick and tile

Synonyms

• crockery
• earthenware
• stoneware

Examples of pottery in a Sentence

He has collected pottery for years.

She was a painter for years before she discovered pottery.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even some of their pottery human figures depict tattoo designs! —John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025

Some still create traditional pieces such as pottery, jewelry, and textiles, but many others are pushing out of those lanes. —Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025

Meanwhile, the University of Illinois archaeologists are wrapping up an inventory of pottery fragments and other artifacts uncovered during a new round of excavations this past September at a lot near the northern end of town. —Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2025

Today, these charming pieces are often valuable, and the work extends beyond paintings to folk art pottery, lamps made out of popsicle sticks, fish decoy art, and other rustic mediums. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pottery

noun

pot·​tery ˈpät-ə-rē 

plural potteries

1

: a place where clay articles (as pots and vases) are made

2

: the art of the potter : ceramics

3

: articles made from clay that is shaped while moist and hardened by heat