industry

noun

in·​dus·​try ˈin-(ˌ)də-strē 

plural industries

1

a

: manufacturing activity as a whole

the nation's industry

b

: a distinct group of productive or profit-making enterprises

the banking industry

c

: a department or branch of a craft, art, business, or manufacture

especially : one that employs a large personnel and capital especially in manufacturing

d

: systematic labor especially for some useful purpose or the creation of something of value

2

: diligence in an employment or pursuit

especially : steady or habitual effort

3

: work devoted to the study of a particular subject or author

the Shakespeare industry

Synonyms

• assiduity
• assiduousness
• diligence
• industriousness
• sedulity
• sedulousness

Choose the Right Synonym for industry

business, commerce, trade, industry, traffic mean activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities.

business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Examples of industry in a Sentence

He favors policies that promote industry.

She invested in several large industries.

She became so popular that a whole industry grew up around her and her image.

Recent Examples on the Web

Just as industry people arrived home from Park City last week, everyone checked the proverbial scoreboard and realized not one world premiere feature had been acquired from Sundance. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2025

Though neither Glazer nor Levine commented on sales estimates, industry sources estimate that Tilt, which plans to release new products on a roughly quarterly basis, could do between $2.5 million to $5 million in first-year sales. —Noor Lobad, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025

The second Donald Trump presidential administration has signaled a pro-crypto regulatory stance, boosting hopes for the market in the coming years and opening the door for a new round of potential bumper sponsorship agreements with major industry players. —Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 4 Feb. 2025

Now under the majority ownership of Abu Dhabi’s Royal Group, the company is navigating the balance between being an industry trailblazer and a material science leader, driving actionable and measurable change. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English (Scots) industrie, from Middle French, from Latin industria, from industrius diligent, from Old Latin indostruus, perhaps from indu in + -struus (akin to Latin struere to build) — more at end-, strew

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing industry

• captain of industry
• cottage industry
• growth industry
• heavy industry
• inter-industry
• light industry
• multi-industry
• service industry
• sub-industry

Kids Definition

industry

noun

in·​dus·​try ˈin-(ˌ)dəs-trē 

plural industries

1

: the habit of working hard and steadily : diligence

2

: steady labor

lived by their own industry

3

a

: the businesses that provide a particular product or service

the steel industry

the tourist industry

b

: manufacturing activity

commerce and industry