china
a translucent ceramic material, biscuit-fired at a high temperature, its glaze fired at a low temperature.
any porcelain ware.
plates, cups, saucers, etc., collectively.
figurines made of porcelain or ceramic material, collectively: a collection of china.
Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a playing marble of china, or sometimes of porcelain or glass.
made of china.
indicating the twentieth event of a series, as a wedding anniversary.
Origin of china
1Other definitions for China (2 of 2)
Also called Nationalist China . Republic of China.
Origin of China
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for china (1 of 3)
/ (ˈtʃaɪnə) /
ceramic ware of a type originally from China
any porcelain or similar ware
cups, saucers, etc, collectively
(modifier) made of china: a china tea service
Origin of china
1British Dictionary definitions for china (2 of 3)
/ (ˈtʃaɪnə) /
British and Southern African informal a friend or companion
Origin of china
2British Dictionary definitions for China (3 of 3)
/ (ˈtʃaɪnə) /
People's Republic of China, Communist China or Red China a republic in E Asia: the third largest and the most populous country in the world; the oldest continuing civilization (beginning over 2000 years bc); republic established in 1911 after the overthrow of the Manchu dynasty by Sun Yat-sen; People's Republic formed in 1949; the 1980s and 1990s saw economic liberalization but a rejection of political reform; contains vast deserts, steppes, great mountain ranges (Himalayas, Kunlun, Tian Shan, and Nan Shan), a central rugged plateau, and intensively cultivated E plains. Language: Chinese in various dialects, the chief of which is Mandarin. Religion: nonreligious majority; Buddhist and Taoist minorities. Currency: yuan. Capital: Beijing. Pop: 1 349 586 000 (2013 est). Area: 9 560 990 sq km (3 691 502 sq miles)
Republic of China, Nationalist China or Taiwan a republic (recognized as independent by only 24 nations) in E Asia occupying the island of Taiwan, 13 nearby islands, and 64 islands of the Penghu (Pescadores) group: established in 1949 by the Nationalist government of China under Chiang Kai-shek after its expulsion by the Communists from the mainland; its territory claimed by the People's Republic of China since the political separation from the mainland; under US protection 1954–79; lost its seat at the UN to the People's Republic of China in 1971; state of war with the People's Republic of China formally ended in 1991, though tensions continue owing to the unresolved territorial claim. Language: Mandarin Chinese. Religion: nonreligious majority, Buddhist and Taoist minorities. Currency: New Taiwan dollar. Capital: Taipei. Pop: 22 610 000 (2003 est). Area: 35 981 sq km (13 892 sq miles): Former name: Formosa
Other words from China
- Related adjective: Sinitic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for China
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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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