factory
noun
fac·to·ry
ˈfak-t(ə-)rē 
plural factories
1
: a building or set of buildings with facilities for manufacturing
a car factory
—often used before another nounfactory workers
a factory building
—often used figurativelya college accused of being a diploma factory
2
archaic
: a station where factors reside and trade
a colonial factory
Examples of factory in a Sentence
She got a job in the factory.
the new factory will create hundreds of much-needed jobs
Recent Examples on the Web
Costfoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images China’s factory activity unexpectedly contracted in November, according to a private survey released Monday, as soft domestic demand continued to cast a pall over the world’s second-largest economy.
—
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Dec. 2025
China’s government has spent decades promoting investments in housing, factories, and infrastructure—investments that enabled China’s rapid growth but that have also left the economy burdened by apartments and assembly lines that well exceed demand.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 1 Dec. 2025
As travel to factories has slowed post pandemic, often buyers lack firsthand knowledge about what goes into making garments.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 1 Dec. 2025
High-quality craftsmanship, traditional techniques, and overall excellence from some of the most renowned factories in the world reign supreme at this cookware company.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for factory
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Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Dec. 2025
China’s government has spent decades promoting investments in housing, factories, and infrastructure—investments that enabled China’s rapid growth but that have also left the economy burdened by apartments and assembly lines that well exceed demand.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 1 Dec. 2025
As travel to factories has slowed post pandemic, often buyers lack firsthand knowledge about what goes into making garments.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 1 Dec. 2025
High-quality craftsmanship, traditional techniques, and overall excellence from some of the most renowned factories in the world reign supreme at this cookware company.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for factory
Cite this Entry
“Factory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/factory. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
factory
noun
fac·to·ry
ˈfak-t(ə-)rē
plural factories
: a building or set of buildings equipped for manufacturing
Etymology
from early French factorie "a place where business is carried on," derived from Latin factor "one that does or makes," from factus, past participle of facere "to make, do" — related to fashion, manufacture
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