industry
Pluralindustries
- 1All the companies that do the same kind of work, looked at together.
Like all the bakeries in a town counted together as one big group.
The film industry employs thousands of people behind the scenes.
Many industries struggled to survive during the recession.
UsageUsually with a word before it: the film industry, the car industry.
Similarsector, business, trade
Note
- 2The making of goods in factories with machines, the companies that do this, or business in general.
Like the factories that build cars, not the shops that fix them.
Industry provides most of the goods we buy in stores.
Heavy industry made this town wealthy long ago.
UsageWith no 'a' or 'the' it means all of it: jobs in industry.
Note
- 3The habit of working hard and not giving up.
Like a bee that keeps working all day without stopping.
She showed great industry, studying every night for a month.
The old farmer was known for his patience and industry.
UsageOften used with patience: patience and industry.
Similardiligence, industriousness
Oppositelaziness, idleness, sloth, indolence
Note
Less common meaning
- 4A named group of very old stone tools that were all made in the same style.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin "industria," meaning diligence or activity, which came into English through Old French. Its deeper origin is unknown.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- English industry derives from Latin industria through Old French. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin industria means diligence or activity. en.wiktionary.org
- The deeper etymology is unknown. it.wikipedia.org