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
To check your model, rotate the car seat to a side position and look for the white label on the back or side showing the model number and date of manufacture. Annabelle Canela, Parents, 3 Oct. 2025 The business focuses on natural beekeeping practices and manufactures products made with beeswax and honey such as lip balm, beard oil, candles, solid perfume, lotions, paw balm for dogs and cotton candy as well as a wide variety of raw honey. Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
Rather than mimicking the human form, the robot is engineered to perform efficiently on manufacturing floors, from machine tending to material transport, addressing real-world automation challenges. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025 Since then, more global drugmakers have announced partnerships with Chinese firms—The main form of collaboration is licensing — meaning the foreign partner obtains rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the Chinese drug or technology outside China. CNBC, 8 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 9 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

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