china

noun

chi·​na ˈchī-nə How to pronounce china (audio)
Synonyms of chinanext
1
: porcelain
also : vitreous porcelain wares (such as dishes, vases, or ornaments) for domestic use
2
: earthenware or porcelain tableware

Examples of china in a Sentence

She uses her good china when she has company for dinner.
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.
Sadly, there's no china in the book. — Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025 The china gleamed, the Waterford sparkled, and the silver was polished. — Peter Folan, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025 Kitschy Collectibles There’s no china or silver making its way down my family tree. — Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025 The French china, silver and white tablecloths matter, but only as part of a larger idea of luxury. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for china

Word History

Etymology

Persian chīnī Chinese porcelain

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of china was in 1639

Phrases Containing china

Rhymes for china

See All Rhymes for china

Browse Nearby Words

chin
china
China
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“China.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/china. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

china

noun
chi·​na ˈchī-nə How to pronounce china (audio)
1
: porcelain
2
: dishes of pottery or porcelain for use as tableware

Geographical Definition

China

geographical name

Chi·​na ˈchī-nə How to pronounce China (audio)
variants or officially People's Republic of China
country of eastern Asia bordering on the Pacific; the most populous country in the world; a republic whose capital is Beijing area 3,705,407 square miles (9,596,960 square kilometers), population 1,384,689,000
see also:
chinese

More from Merriam-Webster on china

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for china

Nglish: Translation of china for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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