# industrial

/ˌɪnˈdəstɹiəɫ/ (US) · /ɪndˈʌstɹɪəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/industrial
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. related to factories

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to factories, the making of goods, or the people who work there.

For teachers: pertaining to the production of goods, particularly through large-scale manufacturing and mechanical processes.

- The city has a large industrial zone where most of the car factories are located.
- The government introduced new subsidies to encourage industrial growth in the northern provinces, focusing specifically on sustainable manufacturing technologies.

### 2. strong or large-scale

adjective · CEFR B2

very strong, large, or powerful, like the machines used in factories.

For teachers: possessing the scale, durability, or power characteristic of machinery used in industry.

- We had to use an industrial cleaner to get the oil stains off the garage floor.
- The facility required an industrial cooling system to prevent the massive server banks from overheating during peak usage hours.

### 3. music style

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

a style of music that uses harsh, mechanical sounds.

For teachers: relating to a genre of experimental music characterized by harsh, transgressive, or mechanical sounds and themes.

- He likes listening to industrial music while he works out because of the heavy beat.
- The band's early work is a seminal example of industrial noise, blending found sounds with distorted electronic rhythms.

### 4. business/finance

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a company involved in manufacturing, or the stocks and bonds of such a company.

For teachers: an enterprise engaged in the production of tangible goods, or a security issued by such a corporation.

- The stock market fell today, led by a drop in major industrials.
- Investors shifted their capital from tech startups to reliable industrials as the economic forecast began to favor established manufacturing firms.

### 5. corporate film

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a film made for a company to show its workers or customers, not for the public.

For teachers: a film or video produced for internal use within a specific industry or corporation rather than for general theatrical release.

- Before he became famous, the actor worked on an industrial for a tractor company.
- The production house specializes in high-end industrials designed to train employees on complex safety protocols in chemical plants.

## Examples

- The city has a large industrial area with many factories.
- The old warehouse was converted into modern apartments while keeping its original industrial features like exposed brick and steel beams.
- The rapid shift from an agrarian to an industrial economy during the nineteenth century fundamentally restructured the social fabric and urban landscape of the nation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.