terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta ˌter-ə-ˈkä-tə 

often attributive

1

: a glazed or unglazed fired clay used especially for statuettes and vases and architectural purposes (as for roofing, facing, and relief ornamentation)

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Examples of terra-cotta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Each section of the building’s exterior is paired with a layer of terra-cotta pilasters that don both the east and west façades of the tower, giving it a glamorous aged feel without overdoing it. —Jessica Cherner, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024

Responding to a glossary of Christian European maternal iconography, Catlett replicated the Mother and Child archetype, initially premiered as a limestone carving for her master’s thesis in 1940, later as lithographs and sculptures in terra-cotta, wood, and black marble. —Shameekia Shantel Johnson, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2024

For Welch, go-to colors include pink, sage, and yellow, with accents of brown and terra-cotta. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024

Its terra-cotta walls and spired boxwoods signal the style instantly, and inside are huge arched wooden doors and bespoke kitchen tiling. —Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian terra cotta, literally, baked earth

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

terra-cotta

noun

ter·​ra-cot·​ta

ˌter-ə-ˈkät-ə

plural terra-cottas

1

: a glazed or unglazed baked clay used for pottery, statues, and building materials

also : something made of this material

2

: a brownish orange

Etymology

from Italian terra cotta, literally "baked earth," derived from Latin terra "earth" and Latin coquere "to cook"