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

The hospitality and medical industries clamored many decades ago for a chlorine bleach substitute. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025

More than a global trade show, JCK is also a dynamic seminar site programmed with JCK Talks educational panel discussions and presentations delivered by experts from various jewelry industry realms-- and countries. —Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

The bid to bring a casino to Times Square has the backing of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and a number of labor unions, and just this week got the blessing of Rev. Al Sharpton — but still faces local pushback, particularly from the theater industry. —Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025

Access to water should not depend on the ability to purchase it from the bottled water industry that continues to profit from a basic human need. —Rachel Bustamante, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 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