porcelain

noun

por·​ce·​lain ˈpȯr-s(ə-)lən How to pronounce porcelain (audio)
Synonyms of porcelainnext
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 How to pronounce porcelain (audio)
adjective
porcelaneous adjective
or porcellaneous
ˌpȯr-sə-ˈlā-nē-əs How to pronounce porcelain (audio)

Examples of porcelain in a Sentence

The bowl is made of porcelain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Inside the vehicle, the front and extended rear are both covered in Stormy Weather Nappa leather with porcelain contrast stitching. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2026 From outdoor decorations that light up the neighborhood to beautifully collectible porcelain pieces from Lenox, keep scrolling to see them all. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites, China Jingdezhen has been producing porcelain for more than 1,000 years, sending its wares from southeastern China to imperial courts and, eventually, markets around the world. — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Princess Margaret’s grandson, Sam Chatto, proposed to his girlfriend Eleanor Ekserdijan with a handmade porcelain engagement ring. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for porcelain

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of porcelain was circa 1530

Phrases Containing porcelain

Browse Nearby Words

porcate
porcelain
porcelain ampelopsis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Porcelain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porcelain. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

porcelain

noun
por·​ce·​lain ˈpōr-s(ə-)lən How to pronounce porcelain (audio)
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- How to pronounce porcelain (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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