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

According to the brand’s creative director, Natalie Hasseck, the price is competitive because the company adopts a just-in-time supply system, and works directly with quality material suppliers and factories. —Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 24 Nov. 2025

New Market Known for its Civil War history and gateway-to-adventure feel, New Market sits close to local attractions like Shenandoah Caverns, Bryce Resort, and the Route 11 Potato Chips factory. —Hayley Hutson, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2025

On a sweltering August afternoon in 1918, on the fourth floor of a hat factory on east 93rd Street in Manhattan, a young Russian immigrant named Hyman Rosansky tossed anti-war flyers out the window to the street below. —Richard Stengel, Time, 24 Nov. 2025

Spending on factory manufacturing facilities development has fallen from its 2024 peak as companies pause projects amid tariff uncertainty and rising import costs. —Scott Cannon, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2025

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