industrial revolution

noun

: a rapid major change in an economy (as in England in the late 18th century) marked by the general introduction of power-driven machinery or by an important change in the prevailing types and methods of use of such machines

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web World Economic Forum chairman Klaus Schwab warns about humans losing control of the world during the fourth industrial revolution. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 17 Feb. 2023 Scientists have come up with new evidence in support of the controversial idea that humanity's influence on climate began not during the industrial revolution, but thousands of years ago. Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2011 And this global cooperation, as Schwab calls it, remains imperative to give humans a chance during the fourth industrial revolution without losing control of society ... or else. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 17 Feb. 2023 The early stages of the industrial revolution showed the vulnerability of the American worker. Tom Spiggle, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2021 In fact, the metaverse might be the bridge to the 5th industrial revolution, whereby humans and technology interlace in harmony. Rod Berger, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 Between the mid-1800s and mid-1900s, when the industrial revolution made Britain the most powerful nation in the world, Morecambe’s guest houses were bursting with vacationers. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 9 Dec. 2022 But the number of species that have disappeared since the beginning of the industrial revolution has caused a crisis that some refer to as the sixth mass extinction event. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2022 But as the population has increased, particularly since the industrial revolution, the demand for nitrogen fertilizers has exploded. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'industrial revolution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of industrial revolution was in 1840

Dictionary Entries Near industrial revolution

Cite this Entry

“Industrial revolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/industrial%20revolution. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

industrial revolution

noun
: a rapid major change in an economy (as in England in the late 18th century) marked by the general introduction of power-driven machinery

More from Merriam-Webster on industrial revolution

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