industry
/ˈɪndəstri
/noun (plural industries)
1 [mass noun] Economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods in factories: new investment incentives for British industry...
- The union is now the biggest in the private sector and manufacturing industry.
- Manufacturing and industry produced a large range of products aimed at many different markets.
- Costs of smelters scrap metal and other problems are having a major impact on manufacturing industry.
Synonyms
manufacturing, production, fabrication, construction
1.1 [count noun, with adjective or noun modifier] A particular form or branch of economic or commercial activity: the car industry...
- The technology industry has a poor track record in attracting female applicants.
- Keeping up with the Kiwis now is hard work, as the wine industry continues to grow like topsy
- In the airline industry emotional labour is vital to the success of the product.
1.2 [count noun, with adjective or noun modifier] informal An activity or domain in which a great deal of effort is expended: the Shakespeare industry...
- Another possible approach might examine Chaucerian criticism as a marketplace of ideas: how market-like is the ‘Chaucer industry’?
- The Mozart industry has thrown down the glove, challenging musicians and listeners to search out every nook in which a Mozart note may have hidden.
2 [mass noun] Hard work: the kitchen became a hive of industry...
- Her sewing room, based in her farm in Fife, which she shares with her fiancé, is a hive of industry.
- On some occasions three courts were sitting simultaneously and it was a hive of industry and justice.
- His industry, inventiveness and hard work said a lot about the way Celtic play the game.
Synonyms
hard work, industriousness, diligence, assiduity, application, sedulousness, sedulity, conscientiousness, steadiness, tirelessness, persistence, pertinacity, perseverance, dedication, determination, rigour, rigorousness;
activity, busyness, energy, vigour, effort, labour, dynamism, zeal, productiveness
archaic laboriousness, continuance
rare perseveration
Origin
Late Middle English (in sense 2): from French industrie or Latin industria 'diligence'.
The first sense recorded for industry was ‘hard work’. It comes from Latin industria ‘diligence’. The meaning ‘trade, manufacture’ is found from the mid 16th century.