# industrialization

/ˌɪnˌdəstɹiəɫɪˈzeɪʃən/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/industrialization
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

the process of a country or region changing from a farming society to one based on factories and machines. It usually involves building more cities and using new technology to produce goods.

For teachers: the large-scale development of manufacturing and technical enterprises within an economy. Often involves a transition from agrarian production to factory-based systems and urbanisation.

## Examples

- Rapid industrialization changed the country's economy in just twenty years.
- The government introduced new policies to encourage industrialization and reduce the nation's dependence on imported goods.
- Historians often debate whether the social costs of rapid industrialization, such as poor working conditions and urban overcrowding, were outweighed by the eventual rise in the general standard of living.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in historical and economic contexts; often paired with 'rapid' or 'early'.

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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.