pottery

noun

pot·​tery ˈpä-tə-rē How to pronounce pottery (audio)
plural potteries
1
: a place where clayware is made and fired
2
a
: the art or craft of the potter
b
: the manufacture of clayware
3
: clayware
especially : earthenware as distinguished from porcelain and stoneware and from brick and tile

Examples of pottery in a Sentence

He has collected pottery for years. She was a painter for years before she discovered pottery.
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.
The jewelry stash was found remarkably intact, preserved inside a broken pottery vessel, as Khaled explains in the statement. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025 Woodland Era pottery remnants at archaeological sites from as long as 2,000 years ago show that the fall and springtime runs of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) upstream were celebrated with feasting. Logan Kistler, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2025 The idea is to combine the calming, creative effects of cannabis with the joy of making art—whether that’s painting a masterpiece or crafting the perfect pottery mug. Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025 Featuring more than 140 artists with displays of glass, jewelry, mosaics, paintings, photography, pottery, sculpture and more all available for purchase. Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pottery

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pottery was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Pottery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pottery. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

pottery

noun
pot·​tery ˈpät-ə-rē How to pronounce pottery (audio)
plural potteries
1
: a place where clay articles (as pots and vases) are made
2
: the art of the potter : ceramics
3
: articles made from clay that is shaped while moist and hardened by heat

More from Merriam-Webster on pottery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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