factory

noun

fac·​to·​ry ˈfak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce factory (audio)
plural factories
1
: a station where factors reside and trade
a colonial factory
2
a
: a building or set of buildings with facilities for manufacturing
b
: the seat of some kind of production
the vice factories of the slums
factorylike adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Toyota also announced Thursday a plan to build a new vehicle factory in Japan, where car sales have been falling due to a shrinking population and declining ownership. CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025 This morning, the outwardly unblemished remains of IJA soldiers collected for Professor Nishina’s autopsy requirements were lined up in the first aid room at the Daiwa Textile factory—the facility Akatsuki Command had requisitioned to serve as the headquarters for its training division. Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025 Topline President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced another $100 billion investment by Apple to expand manufacturing in the U.S., adding to a $500 billion commitment announced earlier this year by Tim Cook featuring plans for a new factory in the country and tens of thousands of new jobs. Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025 Unhealthy ozone levels form when pollutants from factories, cars or any sort of internal combustion engine react with the sun. Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for factory

Word History

Etymology

fact(or) entry 1 + -ory entry 1; in sense 1 after Portuguese feitoria; in sense 2 perhaps short for manufactory

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of factory was in 1582

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Cite this Entry

“Factory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/factory. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

factory

noun
fac·​to·​ry ˈfak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce factory (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on factory

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