the art of making and decorating pottery
"She spent her weekends perfecting her ceramics by sculpting delicate vases from raw clay."
plural of ceramic
"Her degree in ceramics focuses on mastering the ancient techniques of throwing clay on a wheel and glazing it at high temperatures."
the art or science of making ceramic objects
In plain English: Ceramics are hard, brittle materials made from clay and other natural substances that get shaped by hand or machines before being fired at very high temperatures to become strong enough for things like plates, tiles, and pots.
"She collected beautiful blue and white ceramics from different countries."
Usage: Ceramics refers to both the artistic craft and scientific process of creating items from clay that are hardened by heat, such as pottery and tiles. Use this term when discussing materials like porcelain or earthenware rather than generic glass or metal goods.
The word ceramics comes from combining the root ceramic with the suffix -ics. It entered English to describe objects made of clay or pottery, extending the meaning of its earlier form which referred specifically to the material itself.