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 of pottery

• ceramics

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

Crafts sold at the weekly Queenstown Market are handmade by indie artists who peddle their jewelry, art, toys, clothes and pottery along a lively lakeside promenade. —New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026

Unique finds like candlestick holders, pottery, and lighting create visual interest and charm. —Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026

Elsewhere in her interview with Hudson, Zendaya named pottery and painting as recent hobbies, Sinners writer-director Ryan Coogler as her dream collaborator, and a favorite rom-com. —Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026

Ostraca — pottery sherds that ancient people used as an inexpensive writing surface — served as the notepads and record books of their time. —Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pottery

• cautery
• lottery
• watery

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