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

Examples of industrial revolution in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That explains why methane has contributed at least 30 percent of total global warming since the industrial revolution began. —Justin Mikulka, Scientific American, 15 July 2024

Europe and Asia followed similar trajectories until the industrial revolution. —Meg Hansen, National Review, 7 July 2024

This new steam technology went on to power the nation’s cotton mills in the second half of the industrial revolution from this period and well into the 19th century. —Corinne Fowler / Made By History, TIME, 17 June 2024

The eastern Pennsylvania city, which once helped power America’s industrial revolution, had undergone a transformation in recent decades. —Greg Jaffe, Washington Post, 26 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

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