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 businesses that provide a particular product or service

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

left his country … to live by his own industry in England …

—Charles Dickens

2

: diligence in an employment or pursuit

especially : steady or habitual effort

workers commended for their industry

3

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

the Shakespeare industry

Synonyms of industry

• 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

OpenAI is also sharing its architecture and lessons from its previous sprint, along with a blueprint for empowering cyber defenders across industry and government. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026

This week, ahead of Abu Dhabi’s flagship energy conference ADIPEC, senior executives and CEOs from the energy industry gathered to discuss the challenges facing the industry under the Chatham House Rule. — Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026

For cruise passengers, that means more opportunities to encounter Indigenous culture, while knowing that Indigenous people are benefiting from the industry. — Karen Gardiner, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026

As China pushes its humanoid industry to develop more core technologies, mechanical hands are one way companies can try to stand out in the robot race. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026

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