ceramic

1 of 2

adjective

ce·​ram·​ic sə-ˈra-mik How to pronounce ceramic (audio)
especially British kə-
: of or relating to the manufacture of any product (such as earthenware, porcelain, or brick) made essentially from a nonmetallic mineral (such as clay) by firing at a high temperature
also : of or relating to such a product

ceramic

2 of 2

noun

1
ceramics sə-ˈra-miks How to pronounce ceramic (audio)
especially British kə-
 plural in form but singular in construction : the art or process of making ceramic articles
2
: a product of ceramic manufacture

Examples of ceramic in a Sentence

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.
Adjective
Solgel ceramic coating Most nonstick pans use nontoxic coating from organic materials, producing a safe and convenient way to cook your food. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 The in-room Bodum electric kettle and cozy ceramic mugs by Fortessa make the whole ritual a lovely end after a full day. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
Tantalizing opportunities may be found in copper-oxide ceramics known as cuprates, but achieving them requires first understanding how the superconducting phenomenon emerges at relatively warm temperatures. — Sven Badoux, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026 The exhibition presents 63 original prints and limited-edition ceramics, including vessels, plates, pitchers and sculptural forms created by the artist after 1947. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ceramic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek keramikos, from keramos potter's clay, pottery

First Known Use

Adjective

1850, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ceramic was in 1850

Rhymes for ceramic

See All Rhymes for ceramic

Browse Nearby Words

Ceramiales
ceramic
ceramic aggregate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ceramic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceramic. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

ceramic

1 of 2 adjective
ce·​ram·​ic sə-ˈram-ik How to pronounce ceramic (audio)
: of or relating to the manufacture of a product (as earthenware, porcelain, or brick) made from a nonmetallic mineral by heating at high temperatures

ceramic

2 of 2 noun
1
plural : the art of making ceramic articles
2
: a product of ceramic manufacture
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All