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

Loevy negotiated a contract to represent workers in a factory owned by the Saperstein family, which also owned basketball’s Harlem Globetrotters. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026

Rafiqul Islam Rana, an assistant professor of retailing at the University of South Carolina who studies the gap between brand commitments and factory floor realities, the report indicates a deeper problem in apparel sourcing. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 22 May 2026

Roczen said a key change to the fortunes of the season happened during testing when Suzuki sent a factory transmission. —Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

Grow and behold Government documents, local observers and the theme-parks rumor factory have stirred unofficial speculation about an Epic expansion. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026

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