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
Whether that advantage survives the jump from pilot to gigawatt‑scale factories will decide the cost per kilowatt‑hour in the field.
—
Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 6 Jan. 2026
Many of the state's largest polluters such as coal plants, chemical factories and steel mills have received exemptions from the federal government this year.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
Yoo, an award-winning paper factory manager, is abruptly laid off with his colleagues, marking the beginning of his devastating decline.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
The devices measure pollutants regulated by the EPA, including nitrogen oxides, ozone and particulate matter from sources like gas turbines, factories and heavy traffic.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for factory
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Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 6 Jan. 2026
Many of the state's largest polluters such as coal plants, chemical factories and steel mills have received exemptions from the federal government this year.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
Yoo, an award-winning paper factory manager, is abruptly laid off with his colleagues, marking the beginning of his devastating decline.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
The devices measure pollutants regulated by the EPA, including nitrogen oxides, ozone and particulate matter from sources like gas turbines, factories and heavy traffic.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 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 7 Jan. 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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