industry

in-dus-try · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods.

  2. 2.

    A particular branch of economic or commercial activity.

  3. 3.

    Hard work and diligence.

Forms

plural: industries

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    heavy industry — manufacturing of large, heavy products
  • •
    light industry — production of small consumer goods
  • •
    service industry — businesses providing services rather than goods
  • •
    captain of industry — a powerful business leader

Related words

See also: business, economy, industrial, manufacturing
Synonyms: business, manufacturing, sector, trade

Etymology

From Latin "industria" (diligence, activity), from "industrius" (diligent, active), from "indu-" (within) + "struere" (to build). The original sense of "hard work" evolved into "organized economic activity" during the Industrial Revolution.