ceramics

[ suh-ram-iks ]
/ səˈræm ɪks /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR ceramics ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(used with a singular verb) the art or technology of making objects of clay and similar materials treated by firing.
(used with a plural verb) articles of earthenware, porcelain, etc.

Origin of ceramics

First recorded in 1855–60; see origin at ceramic, -ics

Words nearby ceramics

ceramal, ceramic, ceramic engineering, ceramic hob, ceramic oxide, ceramics, ceramidase, ceramide, ceramist, cerargyrite, cerastes

Definition for ceramics (2 of 2)

ceramic
[ suh-ram-ik ]
/ səˈræm ɪk /

adjective

of or relating to products made from clay and similar materials, as pottery and brick, or to their manufacture: ceramic art.

noun

ceramic material.

Origin of ceramic

1840–50; variant of keramic < Greek keramikós, equivalent to kéram(os) potters' clay + -ikos -ic

Words related to ceramics

wares, china, slipware, terracotta

Example sentences from the Web for ceramics

British Dictionary definitions for ceramics (1 of 2)

ceramics
/ (sɪˈræmɪks) /

noun

(functioning as singular) the art and techniques of producing articles of clay, porcelain, etc

Derived forms of ceramics

ceramist (ˈsɛrəmɪst) or ceramicist, noun

British Dictionary definitions for ceramics (2 of 2)

ceramic
/ (sɪˈræmɪk) /

noun

a hard brittle material made by firing clay and similar substances
an object made from such a material

adjective

of, relating to, or made from a ceramic this vase is ceramic
of or relating to ceramics ceramic arts and crafts

Word Origin for ceramic

C19: from Greek keramikos, from keramos potter's clay, pottery

Scientific definitions for ceramics

ceramic
[ sə-răm′ĭk ]

Any of various hard, brittle, heat- and corrosion-resistant materials made typically of metallic elements combined with oxygen or with carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur. Most ceramics are crystalline and are poor conductors of electricity, though some recently discovered copper-oxide ceramics are superconductors at low temperatures.