ceramic
n. C / Un. a hard material made by heating clay or other minerals at a very high temperature. You often see this used for things like coffee mugs, plates, or bathroom tiles.
n. an inorganic, non-metallic solid material made from compounds of a metal and a non-metal, typically shaped and then hardened by high-temperature firing. Often refers to pottery, porcelain, or industrial materials with high heat resistance.
She bought a beautiful ceramic bowl at the local market.
The artist specializes in ceramic sculpture, using a special kiln to fire the clay at extreme temperatures.
Advanced ceramic materials are increasingly utilized in aerospace engineering due to their exceptional thermal stability and resistance to wear under high-stress conditions.
From Ancient Greek κεραμικός (keramikós, “potter's”), from κέραμος (kéramos, “potter's clay”), perhaps from a pre-Hellenic word or from Proto-Indo-European *kerh₂- (“to heat, burn, fire”).
Uncountable when referring to the material itself; countable when referring to individual objects or specific types of the material.