manufacture

1 of 2

noun

man·​u·​fac·​ture ˌman-yə-ˈfak-chər How to pronounce manufacture (audio)
ˌma-nə-
1
: something made from raw materials by hand or by machinery
imports most manufactures used by consumersD. L. Cohn
2
a
: the process of making wares by hand or by machinery especially when carried on systematically with division of labor
the manufacture of automobiles
b
: a productive industry using mechanical power and machinery
3
: the act or process of producing something
the manufacture of blood goes on constantly in the human bodyMorris Fishbein

manufacture

2 of 2

verb

manufactured; manufacturing ˌman-yə-ˈfak-chə-riŋ How to pronounce manufacture (audio)
-ˈfak-shriŋ,
ˌma-nə-

transitive verb

1
: to make into a product suitable for use
2
a
: to make from raw materials by hand or by machinery
b
: to produce according to an organized plan and with division of labor
c
: prefabricate
a manufactured home
3
: invent, fabricate
known to manufacture evidence
4
: to produce as if by manufacturing : create
writers who manufacture stories for television

intransitive verb

: to engage in manufacture
manufacturability
ˌman-yə-ˌfak-chə-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce manufacture (audio)
-ˌfak-shrə-ˈbi-
ˌma-nə-
noun
manufacturable
ˌman-yə-ˈfak-chə-rə-bəl How to pronounce manufacture (audio)
-ˈfak-shrə-bəl
ˌma-nə-
adjective
manufacturing noun

Examples of manufacture in a Sentence

Noun materials used in the manufacture of cars We're developing new methods of paper manufacture. Verb materials used in manufacturing cars a company that manufactures wool and cotton clothing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Denim has long been branded one of the most climate-adverse, chemical-heavy, water-wasting fabrics to mill and manufacture. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025 That, in my opinion, would be the single biggest unique selling point when this tech trickles into mainstream automotive manufacture. New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
Some, including On, Micro, and PC accessory maker Logitech, now manufacture virtually all of their products in Asia, because of the lower costs and expertise in mass manufacturing there. Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025 Neighbors welcome Elanco to The Valley Seven decades ago, Elanco spun off from drug company Eli Lilly to manufacture medicines for animals instead of humans, including drugs for dogs, cats, cattle, swine and poultry. Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manufacture

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle French, from Medieval Latin manufactura, from Latin manu factus, literally, made by hand

First Known Use

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of manufacture was in 1567

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Manufacture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manufacture. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

manufacture

1 of 2 noun
man·​u·​fac·​ture ˌman-(y)ə-ˈfak-chər How to pronounce manufacture (audio)
1
: something made from raw materials
2
: the making of products by hand or machinery
3
: production sense 2
the manufacture of blood in the body

manufacture

2 of 2 verb
manufactured; manufacturing
-ˈfak-chə-riŋ,
-ˈfak-shriŋ
1
: to make into a product suitable for use
manufacture wool
2
: to make from raw materials by hand or by machinery
3
: to make up sometimes with the intention of misleading
manufacturing noun
Etymology

Noun

from early French manufacture "something made," from Latin manufactus "made by hand," from earlier manu "by hand" (from manus "hand") and factus, past participle of facere "to make, do" — related to factory, fashion, manage, manual

More from Merriam-Webster on manufacture

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!