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industry

noun
in·​dus·​try | \ ˈin-(ËŒ)dÉ™-strÄ“ How to pronounce industry (audio) \
plural industries

Definition of industry

1a : manufacturing activity as a whole the nation's industry
b : a distinct group of productive or profit-making enterprises the banking industry
c : a department or branch of a craft, art, business, or manufacture especially : one that employs a large personnel and capital especially in manufacturing
d : systematic labor especially for some useful purpose or the creation of something of value
2 : diligence in an employment or pursuit especially : steady or habitual effort
3 : work devoted to the study of a particular subject or author the Shakespeare industry
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about industry

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Choose the Right Synonym for industry

business, commerce, trade, industry, traffic mean activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities. business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions. commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities. industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale. traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Examples of industry in a Sentence

He favors policies that promote industry. She invested in several large industries. She became so popular that a whole industry grew up around her and her image.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The author works in the restaurant industry, and is on Instagram @10000blackcats. — Los Angeles Times, "L.A. Affairs: I was into her. But she was into playing games.," 31 Aug. 2019 The concept was created by a group of restaurant and business owners in Houston who recognized a need for a public voice for independent businesses in the industry. — Houston Chronicle, "HomeAid invited to fundraiser competition at OKRA downtown," 31 Aug. 2019 McMenemy's parents are retired general contractors, her husband is a cabinet contractor and the family has many friends in the construction industry, so the Bolstrom family not only worked together to open the brewery but to build it as well. — Tirion Morris, azcentral, "How one family's love of beer leads to Phoenix's newest brewery, Front Pourch," 31 Aug. 2019 This is a weed of concern in the agriculture industry. — oregonlive, "Can I plant some dwarf trees on a retaining wall? Ask an expert," 31 Aug. 2019 Flaks takes the reins as top executive at a turbulent time of change in the health care industry as consolidation challenges traditional ways of delivering health care. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, courant.com, "Jeffrey Flaks takes over as CEO of Hartford HealthCare amid time of expansion and consolidation across Connecticut," 29 Aug. 2019 How to handle an abusive manager Bad bosses can show up in any industry, says Stanford business researcher Robert Sutton. — Chris Woolston, Quartz at Work, "How to deal with an abusive boss," 29 Aug. 2019 Having worked in the industry for nearly five decades, Travolta's career can quite easily be separated into stages. — Sonia Rao, chicagotribune.com, "John Travolta is in the Rotten Tomatoes clunker, ‘no regrets’ stage of his career - and is enjoying every minute of it," 29 Aug. 2019 This potential bankruptcy is just one example of many financial crises other retailers in the industry have faced within the past year. — Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, "New Reports Claim Forever 21 Is Preparing to File for Bankruptcy," 29 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'industry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of industry

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for industry

Middle English (Scots) industrie, from Middle French, from Latin industria, from industrius diligent, from Old Latin indostruus, perhaps from indu in + -struus (akin to Latin struere to build) — more at end-, strew

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More Definitions for industry

industry

noun
How to pronounce industry (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of industry

: the process of making products by using machinery and factories
: a group of businesses that provide a particular product or service
: the habit of working hard and steadily

See the full definition for industry in the English Language Learners Dictionary

industry

noun
in·​dus·​try | \ ˈin-dÉ™-strÄ“ How to pronounce industry (audio) \
plural industries

Kids Definition of industry

1 : businesses that provide a certain product or service the oil industry the shipping industry
2 : manufacturing activity In May, industry slowed down.
3 : the habit of working hard and steadily Rab did not immediately spring into action to make a good show of his industry before his master.— Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain

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More from Merriam-Webster on industry

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for industry

Spanish Central: Translation of industry

Nglish: Translation of industry for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of industry for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about industry

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