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

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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

Jessica Yellin, the former CNN White House correspondent, has found an unusual way to deliver an exposé of her old industry. — Jeanne Cummings, WSJ, "Jessica Yellin Has Stories to Tell," 5 Apr. 2019 Iran claims to be developing its own spaceflight industry because no one else will sell satellites and rockets to the country, a claim that is pretty much true. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Iranian Satellite Launch, Seen by Some as Cover for Missile Research, Fails," 15 Jan. 2019 While not as numerous as the games based on their industry, comics based on video games have a history nearly as long, starting in the 1980s and continuing on through the present. — Michael Thompson, Ars Technica, "Drawn together: The love affair between comics and games," 24 Dec. 2018 Digi, the Australian tech industry group, said that the legislation had the potential to introduce systematic weaknesses that could harm the data security of users. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "Facebook’s role in the French protests has polarized observers," 11 Dec. 2018 On Monday, seven years after the allegation, the two sides met in court to continue the trans-Atlantic feud pitting the Silicon Valley icon against what was once the British tech industry’s biggest names. — Stu Woo, WSJ, "Ill-Fated Hewlett-Packard Deal Is Back in Court," 25 Mar. 2019 Star Wars collecting became a hobby, then a passion, then a worldwide industry with insurance policies protecting collections worth millions and collectors chasing the rarest and most elusive pieces. — Alexander Huls, Popular Mechanics, "The Great Star Wars Heist," 7 Mar. 2019 Beverly Hills: 90210 and Riverdale star Luke Perry's son Jack is now 21 years old and also an entertainer, albeit in a very different industry: professional wrestling. — Katina Beniaris, Woman's Day, "Luke Perry's 21-Year-Old Son Is Now a Professional Wrestler," 28 Feb. 2019 Hollywood is a tough industry to break into, and Camila Mendes knows this well. — Sara Delgado, Teen Vogue, "Camila Mendes Turned an Internship Into Her Starring "Riverdale" Role," 8 Jan. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

17 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for industry

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

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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