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
Shane Tipton, of Unionville, Missouri, drove home from his factory job Wednesday afternoon, unaware that severe weather was on the way, said his daughter, Kylie Rouse.
—
CBS News, 12 June 2026
Experts see this as a key step in bringing robots into new roles beyond factories.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
Walking through the factory, Shotwell pointed out Starships and Super Heavy boosters in various stages of production.
—Morgan Brennan,harriet Taylor, CNBC, 12 June 2026
For decades, factories discharged pollution into waterways and wetlands, destroying natural habitats and forcing residents to live in the shadow of smokestacks and refineries.
—Gretchen Kalwinski, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for factory
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CBS News, 12 June 2026
Experts see this as a key step in bringing robots into new roles beyond factories.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
Walking through the factory, Shotwell pointed out Starships and Super Heavy boosters in various stages of production.
—Morgan Brennan,harriet Taylor, CNBC, 12 June 2026
For decades, factories discharged pollution into waterways and wetlands, destroying natural habitats and forcing residents to live in the shadow of smokestacks and refineries.
—Gretchen Kalwinski, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for factory
Cite this Entry
“Factory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/factory. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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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