industry

noun

in·​dus·​try ˈin-(ˌ)də-strē 

plural industries

1

a

: manufacturing activity as a whole

the nation's industry

b

: a distinct group of productive or profit-making enterprises

the banking industry

c

: a department or branch of a craft, art, business, or manufacture

especially : one that employs a large personnel and capital especially in manufacturing

d

: systematic labor especially for some useful purpose or the creation of something of value

2

: diligence in an employment or pursuit

especially : steady or habitual effort

3

: work devoted to the study of a particular subject or author

the Shakespeare industry

Synonyms

• effort
• diligence
• industriousness
• application
• persistence
• assiduity
• assiduousness

Choose the Right Synonym for industry

business, commerce, trade, industry, traffic mean activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities.

business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Examples of industry in a Sentence

He favors policies that promote industry.

She invested in several large industries.

She became so popular that a whole industry grew up around her and her image.

Recent Examples on the Web

Loving County can be a shocking place to visit for an outsider, a vast terrain ravaged by elements and industry, a landscape and atmosphere somewhere between Mad Max and No Country for Old Men. —Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025

Korean Cinema’s Crisis Was the Headline Far from being whispered about in corridors, Korean cinema’s crisis was front and center throughout BIFF, with industry leaders using the platform to openly diagnose challenges and seek solutions. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025

At a recent corporate governance meeting attended by several hundred board members serving on companies of all sizes and types and in every industry, the question was posed about how many of them currently use AI. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025

This plan will also piggyback on China’s major ramping up of the use of robotics in many industries across the country. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English (Scots) industrie, from Middle French, from Latin industria, from industrius diligent, from Old Latin indostruus, perhaps from indu in + -struus (akin to Latin struere to build) — more at end-, strew

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing industry

• captain of industry
• cottage industry
• growth industry
• heavy industry
• inter-industry
• light industry
• multi-industry
• service industry
• sub-industry

Rhymes for industry

• interindustry

Kids Definition

industry

noun

in·​dus·​try ˈin-(ˌ)dəs-trē 

plural industries

1

: the habit of working hard and steadily : diligence

2

: steady labor

lived by their own industry

3

a

: the businesses that provide a particular product or service

the steel industry

the tourist industry

b

: manufacturing activity

commerce and industry