deindustrialization

noun

de·​in·​dus·​tri·​al·​i·​za·​tion (ˌ)dē-in-ˌdə-strē-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

: the reduction or destruction of a nation's or region's industrial capacity

deindustrialize

(ˌ)dē-in-ˈdə-strē-ə-ˌlīz 

verb

Examples of deindustrialization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The post-Fordist era saw deindustrialization in rich countries, the industrialization of many low- and middle-income countries, an erosion of social welfare and labor protections, and increasing inequality. —Literary Hub, 28 May 2026

Europe now openly worries about deindustrialization, supply-chain fragility, and excessive dependence on external manufacturing ecosystems. —W. Gyude Moore, semafor.com, 25 May 2026

Chambers grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, which has become something of a poster-child of the ills of deindustrialization. —Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 19 May 2026

One of the key challenges Pittsburgh faced after the decline of steel was the significant loss of workers fleeing deindustrialization. —Christopher Briem, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deindustrialization

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization