Industry is the work and processes involved in collecting raw materials, and making them into products in factories.
British industry suffers through insufficient investment in research.
...in countries where industry is developing rapidly.
Synonyms: business, production, manufacturing, trade More Synonyms of industry
2. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
A particular industry consists of all the people and activities involved in making a particular productor providing a particular service.
...the motor vehicle and textile industries.
...the Scottish tourist industry.
3. countable noun [usually singular]
If you refer to a social or political activity as an industry, you are criticizing it because you think it involves a lot of people in unnecessary or useless work.
[disapproval]
Some Afro-Caribbeans are rejecting the whole race relations industry.
The multibillion-dollar fitness industry rakes in fat profits from our hunger tolook good.
4. uncountable noun
Industry is the fact of working very hard.
[formal]
No one doubted his ability, his industry or his integrity.
Synonyms: diligence, effort, labour, hard work More Synonyms of industry
5. See also captain of industry, cottage industry, service industry
More Synonyms of industry
industry in British English
(ˈɪndəstrɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-tries
1.
organized economic activity concerned with manufacture, extraction and processing of raw materials, or construction
2.
a branch of commercial enterprise concerned with the output of a specified product or service
the steel industry
3.
a.
industrial ownership and management interests collectively, as contrasted with labour interests
b.
manufacturing enterprise collectively, as opposed to agriculture
4.
diligence; assiduity
Word origin
C15: from Latin industria diligence, from industrius active, of uncertain origin
industry in American English
(ˈɪndəstri)
nounWord forms: pluralˈindustries
1. Obsolete
a.
skill or cleverness
b.
the application of this
2.
earnest, steady effort; constant diligence in or application to work
3.
systematic work; habitual employment
4.
a.
any particular branch of productive, esp. manufacturing, enterprise
the paper industry
b.
any large-scale business activity
the tourist industry
5.
a.
manufacturing productive enterprises collectively, esp. as distinguished from agriculture
b.
the owners and managers of industry
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈbusiness
Word origin
LME < MFr industrie < L industria < industrius, active, industrious < *indo-struus < OL endo (> L in) + struere, to pile up, arrange: see strew
COBUILD Collocations
industry
entire industry
global industry
high-tech industry
lucrative industry
Examples of 'industry' in a sentence
industry
We have industry talks where experts tell you how to make the most of your degree.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The future of the oil services industry remains uncertain and any recovery is likely to be gradual.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The largest increase was in the car industry and transport.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Her mother has also worked in the industry all her life and seen its many sides.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The motor industry is placing huge bets on electric cars becoming mainstream over the next decade.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He said the last government had not been aware of the scale of the crisis that had engulfed the steel industry.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The technology could prove a boon to the British egg industry.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The young model is regarded as one of the industry's most promising stars.
The Sun (2016)
Apprenticeships are not working, he says, because of the way the construction industry is set up.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is also important to dispel the myths about what working in a particular industry or for a less well known employer might entail, he adds.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The deals made him a leading force in the iron and steel industry.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The building industry employs a lot of people.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The drinks industry proved hard to tackle.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Industry experts tell me it will hardly make any difference.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The legal sector is a service industry.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We want the car industry to meet demand for low carbon cars.
The Sun (2009)
The competitive abilities of these industries are thought to depend mainly on the availability of skilled labour.
Forstner, Helmut, Ballance, Robert Competing in a Global Economy (1990)
You accept the fact that this happens in the industry and work your way through it.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Video gaming is the one industry standing strong against the credit crunch.
The Sun (2009)
The textile industry employed as many women as men and contributed a substantial number of female officers.
Christianity Today (2000)
We have huge demand for housing and we need to encourage the construction industry to build.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Tens of thousands of motor industry jobs have been lost to overseas manufacturers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There is no specialization in any particular industry or sector.
Corporate Research Foundation TOP MARKETING AND MEDIA COMPANIES IN THE UK (2002)
You often see references to the leasing industry.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
It is a trend across a lot of industries.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is harder for industry to compete globally and householders face higher bills for an essential service.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Experts from the industry may be seconded to the defence department.
Yearley, Steven Science, Technology, and Social Change (1988)
But the financial services industry slammed the ban.
The Sun (2008)
The diesel car industry was already facing a backlash over concerns about air pollution.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Output of manufacturing industry has collapsed.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
With both favourites winning the big races the industry has lost over 5million.
The Sun (2014)
This has huge ramifications for the British film industry.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It's weak in agriculture and industry.
Charles Glass The Tribes Triumphant (2006)
The racecourse is insured against such calamities, but the betting industry that underpins racing is not.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Quotations
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wiseBible: Proverbs
Where there is no desire, there will be no industryJohn LockeSome Thoughts Concerning Education
Avarice, the spur of industryDavid HumeEssays, Moral and Political: Of Civil Liberty
If you have great talents, industry will improve them; if you have but moderate abilities, industry will supply their deficiencyJoshua ReynoldsDiscourses on Art
In other languages
industry
British English: industry /ˈɪndəstrɪ/ NOUN
Industry is the work and processes involved in making things in factories.
Industry needs to carry out more research.
American English: industry
Arabic: صِنَاعَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: indústria
Chinese: 工业
Croatian: industrija
Czech: průmysl
Danish: industri
Dutch: industrie
European Spanish: industria
Finnish: teollisuus
French: industrie
German: Industrie
Greek: βιομηχανία
Italian: industria
Japanese: 産業
Korean: 산업
Norwegian: industri
Polish: przemysł
European Portuguese: indústria
Romanian: industrie
Russian: индустрия
Latin American Spanish: industria
Swedish: bransch
Thai: อุตสาหกรรม
Turkish: endüstri
Ukrainian: промисловість
Vietnamese: công nghiệp
All related terms of 'industry'
car industry
the industry concerned with the manufacture and selling of automobiles
coal industry
a branch of commercial enterprise concerned with the discovery and mining of coal
film industry
all the companies, studios , people etc involved in making commercial films collectively
food industry
the industry surrounding the production of food
oil industry
→ the oil industry
pig industry
the people and activities involved in making pork products
sex industry
→ the sex industry
silk industry
the industry that is involved with the breeding of silkworms and the manufacture of the silk they produce into thread and fabric
basic industry
an industry which is highly important in a nation's economy
cotton industry
the business of spinning and weaving cotton
entire industry
A particular industry consists of all the people and activities involved in making a particular product or providing a particular service.
global industry
A particular industry consists of all the people and activities involved in making a particular product or providing a particular service.
growth industry
an industry that is experiencing rapid growth
heavy industry
Heavy industry is industry in which large machines are used to produce raw materials or to make large objects .
hotel industry
→ the hotel industry
industry expert
An expert is a person who is very skilled at doing something or who knows a lot about a particular subject.
light industry
Light industry is industry in which only small items are made, for example household goods and clothes .
motor industry
the manufacturers of cars viewed as a sector
movie industry
→ the movie industry
paper industry
the industry of manufacturing and selling paper
power industry
all the people and activities involved in providing power (gas, electricity , etc) to homes and businesses
steel industry
the industrial sector that produces and trades in steel
sunset industry
any industry that holds little promise of future development
aviation industry
a collective term for the companies involved in air transport
building industry
the economic sector comprising all companies involved in construction
cottage industry
A cottage industry is a small business that is run from someone's home, especially one that involves a craft such as knitting or pottery .
fashion industry
the industry that deals with the world of fashion
fishing industry
the industry of catching fish
garment industry
→ the garment industry
heritage industry
an industry that manages the historical sites , buildings, and museums in a particular place, with the aim of encouraging tourism
industry insider
An insider is someone who is involved in a situation and who knows more about it than other people.
industry standard
an established standard , norm , or requirement in a particular area of business
leisure industry
→ the leisure industry
lucrative industry
A particular industry consists of all the people and activities involved in making a particular product or providing a particular service.
nuclear industry
the industry involving nuclear weapons , nuclear power stations , etc
plastics industry
the industry that makes plastics
primary industry
an industry, as agriculture , forestry , or fishing, that deals in obtaining natural materials
printing industry
the industry engaged in the business of producing printed matter
process industry
an industry, such as the chemical or petrochemical industry, that is concerned with the processing of bulk resources into other products
service industry
A service industry is an industry such as banking or insurance that provides a service but does not produce anything.
shipping industry
the industry concerned with transporting freight , esp by ship
sunrise industry
any of the high-technology industries, such as electronics , that hold promise of future development
tobacco industry
an industry that manufactures and sells products containing tobacco
tourist industry
the people, activities, and organizations involved in providing services for people on holiday , for example hotels , restaurants , and tour guides
bloodstock industry
the breeding and training of racehorses
construction industry
a branch of commercial enterprise concerned with the construction of buildings, bridges , etc
entertainment industry
→ the entertainment industry
fast-food industry
the industry surrounding fast-food restaurants
high-tech industry
A particular industry consists of all the people and activities involved in making a particular product or providing a particular service.
hospitality industry
the hotel and accommodation industry
Chinese translation of 'industry'
industry
(ˈɪndəstrɪ)
n
(u) (= manufacturing) 工业(業) (gōngyè)
⇒ Industry is making increasing use of robots.工业生产越来越多地利用机器人。 (Gōngyè shēngchǎn yuèláiyuè duō de lìyòng jīqìrén.)
(c) (= business) 行业(業) (hángyè) (种(種), zhǒng)
⇒ the film industry电影业 (diànyǐngyè)
(u) (= diligence) 勤劳(勞) (qínláo)
⇒ No one doubted his industry.没人怀疑他的勤劳。 (Méi rén huáiyí tā de qínláo.)
1 (noun)
Definition
the work and process involved in manufacture
countries where industry is developing rapidly
Synonyms
business
young people seeking a career in business
production
two companies involved in the production of the steel pipes
manufacturing
trade
The ministry has control over every aspect of foreign trade.
trading
commerce
They have made their fortunes from industry and commerce.
commercial enterprise
2 (noun)
Definition
a branch of commercial enterprise concerned with the manufacture of a specified product
the textile industry
Synonyms
trade
He was a jeweller by trade.
world
The publishing world had never seen an event quite like this.
business
May I ask what business you are in?
service
If a young woman did not have a dowry, she went into domestic service.
line
What was your father's line of business?
field
They are both experts in their field.
craft
All kinds of traditional crafts are preserved here.
profession
Harper was a teacher by profession.
occupation
I was looking for an occupation which would allow me to travel.
3 (noun)
Definition
the quality of working hard
No one doubted his industry or his integrity.
Synonyms
diligence
The police are pursuing their enquiries with great diligence.
effort
A great deal of effort had been put into the planning.
labour
Every man should receive a fair price for the product of his labour.
hard work
trouble
You've saved us a lot of trouble by helping.
activity
There is an extraordinary level of activity in the market.
application
his immense talent and unremitting application
striving
endeavour
toil
It is only toil which gives meaning to things.
vigour
zeal
persistence
Skill comes only with practice, patience and persistence.
assiduity
those with the ability and the assiduity to make it big
tirelessness
Quotations
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise [Bible: Proverbs]Where there is no desire, there will be no industry [John Locke – Some Thoughts Concerning Education]Avarice, the spur of industry [David Hume – Essays, Moral and Political: Of Civil Liberty]If you have great talents, industry will improve them; if you have but moderate abilities, industry will supply their deficiency [Joshua Reynolds – Discourses on Art]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of activity
Definition
the state of being active
There is an extraordinary level of activity in the market.
Synonyms
action,
work,
life,
labour,
movement,
energy,
exercise,
spirit,
enterprise,
motion,
bustle,
animation,
vigour,
hustle,
exertion,
hurly-burly,
liveliness,
activeness,
stir
in the sense of application
Definition
concentrated effort
his immense talent and unremitting application
Synonyms
effort,
work,
study,
industry,
labour,
trouble,
attention,
struggle,
pains,
commitment,
hard work,
endeavour,
dedication,
toil,
diligence,
perseverance,
travail (literary),
attentiveness,
assiduity,
blood, sweat, and tears (informal)
in the sense of assiduity
those with the ability and the assiduity to make it big