Definition of preindustrial
1
: not having developed or adopted industry : not industrialized
- preindustrial agrarian societies
- preindustrial civilization
2
: occurring, existing, or originating before the development or adoption of industry
- in preindustrial times
- preindustrial levels of carbon dioxide
- preindustrial artifacts
- still made using preindustrial methods
- a return to a preindustrial way of life
