industry

in·dus·try

noun \ˈin-(ˌ)dəs-trē\

plural in·dus·tries

Definition of INDUSTRY

1

: diligence in an employment or pursuit; especially : steady or habitual effort

2

a : systematic labor especially for some useful purpose or the creation of something of value b : a department or branch of a craft, art, business, or manufacture; especially : one that employs a large personnel and capital especially in manufacturing c : a distinct group of productive or profit-making enterprises <the banking industry> d : manufacturing activity as a whole <the nation's industry>

3

: work devoted to the study of a particular subject or author <the Shakespeare industry>

Examples of INDUSTRY

1. He favors policies that promote industry.
2. She invested in several large industries.
3. She became so popular that a whole industry grew up around her and her image.

Origin of 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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to INDUSTRY

Synonyms: assiduity, assiduousness, industriousness, diligence, sedulity, sedulousness

Related Words: application, attentiveness, attention, care, concentration; doggedness, perseverance, persistence, tenacity, tirelessness; bother, effort, effortfulness, pains, painstaking, trouble

Near Antonyms: carelessness, negligence, slackness; idleness, indolence, laziness

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See Synonym Discussion at business

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite