industry

noun

in·​dus·​try ˈin-(ˌ)də-strē 

plural industries

1

a

: manufacturing activity as a whole

the nation's industry

b

: a distinct group of businesses that provide a particular product or service

the banking industry

c

: a department or branch of a craft, art, business, or manufacture

especially : one that employs a large personnel and capital especially in manufacturing

d

: systematic labor especially for some useful purpose or the creation of something of value

left his country … to live by his own industry in England …

—Charles Dickens

2

: diligence in an employment or pursuit

especially : steady or habitual effort

workers commended for their industry

3

: work devoted to the study of a particular subject or author

the Shakespeare industry

Synonyms of industry

• effort
• diligence
• industriousness
• application
• persistence
• assiduity
• assiduousness

Choose the Right Synonym for industry

business, commerce, trade, industry, traffic mean activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities.

business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Examples of industry in a Sentence

He favors policies that promote industry.

She invested in several large industries.

She became so popular that a whole industry grew up around her and her image.

Recent Examples on the Web

From electronics to clothing to food, nearly every industry has felt the sting. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 9 June 2026

Pruner is an industry veteran locally, having been part of the inaugural team at Empress Tavern and worked at Obo’, Mulvaney’s B&L and the now-defunct Woodlake Tavern, among other places. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026

Macron’s office said the two had discussed the project at length and regretted that the main industry partners, European aerospace group Airbus, which represents Germany and Spain, and France’s Dassault Aviation, had not been able to reach an agreement. —CNN Money, 9 June 2026

Europeans are driving less and the airline industry is facing a $100 billion fuel hit as the Iran war’s energy impacts expand. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing industry

• captain of industry
• cottage industry
• growth industry
• heavy industry
• inter-industry
• light industry
• multi-industry
• service industry
• sub-industry

Rhymes for industry

• interindustry

Kids Definition

industry

noun

in·​dus·​try ˈin-(ˌ)dəs-trē 

plural industries

1

: the habit of working hard and steadily : diligence

2

: steady labor

lived by their own industry

3

a

: the businesses that provide a particular product or service

the steel industry

the tourist industry

b

: manufacturing activity

commerce and industry