industry
- 01 A2 Elementary
the companies and factories that make things, especially in large amounts.
the sector of an economy concerned with the large-scale production of goods, typically in factories.
Simple“The city grew quickly because of the steel industry and the new jobs it created.”
In context“Heavy industry declined in the region during the late twentieth century, leading to a significant shift toward service-oriented economic models.”
Synonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
a particular group of businesses that provide the same service or product.
a distinct group of productive or profit-making enterprises.
Simple“She has worked in the fashion industry for over ten years.”
In context“The hospitality industry faced unprecedented challenges during the global travel restrictions, forcing many small businesses to pivot their operations.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
the quality of working hard and being productive.
the quality of being habitually active, diligent, and hardworking.
Simple“The teacher praised the student for her industry and focus during the project.”
In context“The success of the startup was attributed more to the sheer industry of its founders than to any initial financial advantage.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
a group of stone tools from a specific time in history.
a classification of stone tools belonging to a specific period or culture.
Simple“Archaeologists found evidence of a prehistoric flint industry at the site.”
In context“The discovery of a sophisticated bone-tool industry suggests that the inhabitants possessed more advanced cognitive abilities than previously assumed.”
Synonyms
Usage agricultural industry · domestic industry · manufacturing industry
From Middle English industry, industrie, from Old French industrie, from Latin industria (“diligence, activity, industry”), from industrius (“diligent, active, zealous”), from Old Latin indostruus (“diligent, active”); origin unknown. Perhaps from indu (“in”) + ūst-, ūstr-, stem of ūrō (“burn, burn up, consume”, verb), related to Old High German ūstrī (“industry”), Old English andūstrian (“to hate, detest”, literally “to be consumed with zeal”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.