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
Approximately 130 people work at Forge Nano’s battery factory in Thornton.
—
Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
The global economy is facing ever more tangible strains from the energy shock triggered by the Iran war as factories grapple with soaring production costs and activity weakens even in services sectors, major surveys showed today.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
The imagery honors a wide spectrum of workers, from street vendors and farm workers to factory employees and rideshare drivers, many of whom are foundational to Los Angeles but often go unseen.
—Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
For example, fuel shortages in Asia could hinder factory employees from getting to work, Gildea said, potentially slowing export production.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for factory
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Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
The global economy is facing ever more tangible strains from the energy shock triggered by the Iran war as factories grapple with soaring production costs and activity weakens even in services sectors, major surveys showed today.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
The imagery honors a wide spectrum of workers, from street vendors and farm workers to factory employees and rideshare drivers, many of whom are foundational to Los Angeles but often go unseen.
—Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
For example, fuel shortages in Asia could hinder factory employees from getting to work, Gildea said, potentially slowing export production.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 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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