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 noun

factory workers

a factory building

—often used figuratively

a college accused of being a diploma factory

2

archaic : a station where factors reside and trade

a colonial factory

factorylike

ˈfak-t(ə-)rē-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms of factory

• mill
• plant
• shop
• workshop
• works

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

But its attractions were boosted by the 2024 arrival of the Château de Théoule, a hotel in a former soap factory not far from the late fashion designer Pierre Cardin’s Palais Bulles. —Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025

In the distance, the twin stacks of Moss Landing Power Plant sit among factories pushing plumes of smoke into the air. —Alonso Daboub, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025

That money could have been invested in factories, research and infrastructure to compete with China. —John Seiler, Oc Register, 22 Dec. 2025

As production ramps up, factories get better at making the panels with fewer defects and less waste. —New Atlas, 21 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

fact(or) entry 1 + -ory entry 1; in sense 2 after Portuguese feitoria; in sense 1 perhaps short for manufactory

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing factory

• factory farm
• factory ship
• on the factory floor
• the factory floor
• think factory

Rhymes for factory

• manufactory
• olfactory
• refractory
• unsatisfactory

Kids 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