What does "ceramic" mean?

1. (the material) a hard, often brittle material made by baking clay or minerals in a very hot oven. 2. (an object) a pot, vase, or other object made from baked clay. 3. (made of ceramic) made of clay or minerals that have been hardened by heat.

How do you use "ceramic"?

Often used uncountably when referring to the substance itself. Commonly used in the plural to refer to a collection of items.

ceramic

n. · adj.

US //sɝˈæmɪk// UK //sɪɹˈæmɪk// ce·ram·ic

1 the material (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

a hard, often brittle material made by baking clay or minerals in a very hot oven.

an inorganic, nonmetallic solid material comprising metal, nonmetal or metalloid atoms primarily held in ionic and covalent bonds.

Example

The floor was covered in a tough ceramic that was easy to clean.

Example

Advanced ceramic materials are increasingly utilised in aerospace engineering due to their exceptional thermal stability and resistance to wear.

Usage

Often used uncountably when referring to the substance itself.
- pottery
- porcelain
2 an object (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a pot, vase, or other object made from baked clay.

an individual object or work of art fashioned from ceramic material.

Example

She collects hand-painted ceramics from her travels around the Mediterranean.

Example

The museum's collection includes rare Greek ceramics that demonstrate the transition from geometric patterns to figurative storytelling.

Usage

Commonly used in the plural to refer to a collection of items.
- pottery
- earthenware

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3 made of ceramic (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

made of clay or minerals that have been hardened by heat.

composed of or relating to ceramic material.

Example

We replaced the old metal sink with a white ceramic one.

Example

The technician applied a ceramic coating to the vehicle's exterior to provide a superior layer of protection against environmental damage.
- clay
- stoneware

Origin

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”).