plural factories
1
: a station where factors reside and trade
a colonial factory
2
a
: a building or set of buildings with facilities for manufacturing
b
: the seat of some kind of production
the vice factories of the slums

Examples of factory in a Sentence

She got a job in the factory. the new factory will create hundreds of much-needed jobs
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.
Here are today's top stories: From an interstate shooting in Laurel County resulting in a multi-day manhunt to a factory explosion in the Clifton neighborhood, there have been many notable moments in Louisville and Kentucky during the past year. Stephanie Stremplewski, The Courier-Journal, 29 Dec. 2024 Volvo, the Swedish company, recently began erecting a truck factory. Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024 Industrial profits are a key indicator of the financial well-being of factories, utilities and mines in China. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Dec. 2024 More expensive than a garden-variety, base Camaro by $400, the Z/28 Camaro was developed with a focus on speed and handling, featuring a four-speed manual transmission and front-wheel power disc brakes, while power steering and air conditioning were left behind at the factory. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for factory 

Word History

Etymology

fact(or) entry 1 + -ory entry 1; in sense 1 after Portuguese feitoria; in sense 2 perhaps short for manufactory

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of factory was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near factory

Cite this Entry

“Factory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/factory. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

plural factories
: a building or set of buildings equipped for manufacturing
Etymology

from early French factorie "a place where business is carried on," derived from Latin factor "one that does or makes," from factus, past participle of facere "to make, do" — related to fashion, manufacture

More from Merriam-Webster on factory

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