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

See Synonym Discussion at business

Other Business Terms

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

industry

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Group of productive organizations that produce or supply goods, services, or sources of income. In economics, industries are customarily classified as primary, secondary, and tertiary; secondary industries are further classified as heavy and light. Primary industry includes agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, and extracting minerals. Secondary or manufacturing industry processes the raw materials supplied by primary industries into consumer goods, or further processes goods from other secondary industries, or builds capital goods used to manufacture consumer and nonconsumer goods; secondary industry also includes energy-producing industries and the construction industry. Tertiary or service industry includes banking, finance, insurance, investment, and real estate services; wholesale, retail, and resale trade; transportation, information, and communications services; professional, consulting, legal, and personal services; tourism, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment; repair and maintenance services; education and teaching; and health, social welfare, administrative, police, security, and defense services.