industry

[ in-duh-stree ]

noun

, plural in·dus·tries

1. the aggregate of manufacturing or technically productive enterprises in a particular field, often named after its principal product:

   the automobile industry;

   the steel industry.

2. any general business activity; commercial enterprise:

   the Italian tourist industry.

3. trade or manufacture in general:

   the rise of industry in Africa.

4. the ownership and management of companies, factories, etc.:

   friction between labor and industry.

5. systematic work or labor.
6. energetic, devoted activity at any work or task; diligence:

   Her teacher praised her industry.

   Synonyms: industriousness, assiduity, effort, application

7. the aggregate of work, scholarship, and ancillary activity in a particular field, often named after its principal subject:

   the Mozart industry.

8. Archaeology. an assemblage of artifacts regarded as unmistakably the work of a single prehistoric group.

industry

/ ˈɪndəstrɪ /

noun

1. organized economic activity concerned with manufacture, extraction and processing of raw materials, or construction
2. a branch of commercial enterprise concerned with the output of a specified product or service

   the steel industry

3. 1. industrial ownership and management interests collectively, as contrasted with labour interests
   2. manufacturing enterprise collectively, as opposed to agriculture
4. diligence; assiduity

Other Words From

• inter·indus·try adjective
• mini-indus·try noun plural miniindustries
• non·indus·try adjective
• pre·indus·try noun adjective
• pro·indus·try adjective
• subindus·try noun plural subindustries
• super·indus·try noun plural superindustries

Word History and Origins

Origin of industry¹

First recorded in 1475–85; earlier industrie, from Latin industria, noun use of feminine of industrius “diligent, assiduous”; industrious

Word History and Origins

Origin of industry¹

C15: from Latin industria diligence, from industrius active, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The stand-off follows a government decision to crack down on an industry that has spiralled out of control, with mafia-like gangs running it.

From BBC

The researchers prompted four AI image generators for modern, portrait-style photographs of chemists in industry or academic occupations.

From Science Daily

Australia's debate over capping foreign student numbers is “not over” despite a controversial bill unexpectedly losing support, a top industry body says.

From BBC

It fuelled widespread public and political opposition – and slowed the growth of the industry.

From BBC

South Korea’s entertainment industry is known for its high-pressure environment, where celebrities are held to strict standards over their appearances and behaviour.

From BBC

Related Words

• business
• commerce
• corporation
• management
• production
• trade