industry

noun

in·dus·try | \ ˈin-(ˌ)də-strē

plural industries

Definition of industry

1a : 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 Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about industry

Keep scrolling for more

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

Rather than delve into the changes afoot in the business just yet, Vogue Runway is focusing on 11 signs that 2019 is going to be a great one for the fashion industry at large. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "11 Reasons to Be Excited About The Year in Fashion," 4 Jan. 2019 Is the move to procedurally generated animation the general direction of the visual effects industry at large? — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "How Weta Digital created the steampunk world of Mortal Engines," 21 Dec. 2018 Despite placing second in the 2009 finale, her strong vocal talent led to her becoming an instant success in the music industry. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "The Untold Story of 'AGT' Star Susan Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream" Audition," 19 Dec. 2018 After nearly 10 years at the helm of menswear design for J.Crew, Muytjens left the brand in April of 2017, prompting many in the fashion industry to wonder what his next step would be. — Robert Khederian, Curbed, "How a fashion designer transformed an 18th-century home into a dreamy inn," 21 Nov. 2018 Its owner, George Gorrow, is a fashion-industry veteran and flaxen-haired Thor ringer who curates the lobby art gallery and boutique selling his minimalistic streetwear. — Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, "Finding the Bali You Came For," 16 Nov. 2018 Discovery viewers who are huge fans of the mining industry are now getting a brand-new series to obsess over. — Eileen Reslen, Country Living, "'Gold Rush' Star Todd Hoffman Is Creating a New Reality Competition Show," 28 Oct. 2018 Skincare brand Babor also ditched the airbrushed images this year to huge fanfare across the industry. — Leah Prinzivalli, Glamour, "The 10 Most Groundbreaking Beauty Campaigns of 2018," 22 Dec. 2018 In fact, perhaps even more challenging to companies like Tesla, who are still largely on the outside of the world’s largest car market looking in, is that the Chinese government is starting a push to consolidate the national automotive industry. — Sean O'kane, The Verge, "Tesla’s competition for the Model Y is growing quickly in China," 21 Dec. 2018

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about industry

Dictionary Entries near industry

Statistics for industry

Last Updated

9 Jan 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for industry

The first known use of industry was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for industry

industry

noun

English Language Learners Definition of industry

: the process of making products by using machinery and factories

: a group of businesses that provide a particular product or service

: the habit of working hard and steadily

See the full definition for industry in the English Language Learners Dictionary

industry

noun

in·dus·try | \ ˈin-də-strē

plural industries

Kids Definition of industry

1 : businesses that provide a certain product or service the oil industry the shipping industry

2 : manufacturing activity In May, industry slowed down.

3 : the habit of working hard and steadily Rab did not immediately spring into action to make a good show of his industry before his master.— Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain