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industry

n.
US //ˈɪndəstɹi// UK //ˈɪndʌstɹˌi// in·dus·try
  1. 1 manufacturing and production (n.)
    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.

    Example

    The city grew quickly because of the steel industry and the new jobs it created.

    Example

    Heavy industry declined in the region during the late twentieth century, leading to a significant shift toward service-oriented economic models.

  2. 2 a specific branch of business (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a particular group of businesses that provide the same service or product.

    a distinct group of productive or profit-making enterprises.

    Example

    She has worked in the fashion industry for over ten years.

    Example

    The hospitality industry faced unprecedented challenges during the global travel restrictions, forcing many small businesses to pivot their operations.

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  1. 3 hard work (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the quality of working hard and being productive.

    the quality of being habitually active, diligent, and hardworking.

    Example

    The teacher praised the student for her industry and focus during the project.

    Example

    The success of the startup was attributed more to the sheer industry of its founders than to any initial financial advantage.

  2. 4 stone tool classification (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Archaeology

    a group of stone tools from a specific time in history.

    a classification of stone tools belonging to a specific period or culture.

    Example

    Archaeologists found evidence of a prehistoric flint industry at the site.

    Example

    The discovery of a sophisticated bone-tool industry suggests that the inhabitants possessed more advanced cognitive abilities than previously assumed.

Origin

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”).

Idioms1 entry

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