industry
C1Formal, Neutral, Technical
Definition
Meaning
The production of goods or services, especially on a large scale using machinery and organized labour.
Any large-scale, systematic, and typically profitable activity or sector; also, the quality of being hard-working and diligent.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a count noun for distinct sectors (e.g., the steel industry). Can be a mass noun for the concept (e.g., growth in industry). The 'diligence' meaning is slightly old-fashioned/formal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary meanings are identical. Minor spelling differences in derivatives (e.g., industrialise/industrialize). The term 'industrial action' (strikes) is more common in UK English.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotations are neutral/positive for economic development, potentially negative for pollution (industrial waste).
Frequency
No significant frequency difference; a core economic term in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N of industry (e.g., sector of industry)Adj industry (e.g., global industry)industry + to-infinitive (e.g., an industry to watch)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[dated] She praised his industry (meaning diligence)”
- “captain of industry (a business leader)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Discusses market sectors, competition, and economic trends (e.g., 'The tech industry is volatile').
Academic
Used in economics, sociology, and history to analyse production systems and labour (e.g., 'post-industrial society').
Everyday
Refers to broad sectors like film or tourism (e.g., 'She works in the hospitality industry').
Technical
Specific classifications like 'secondary industry' or 'Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This term is not used as a verb.
American English
- This term is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Industriously, the team completed the project ahead of schedule.
American English
- She worked industriously to meet the deadline.
adjective
British English
- The industrial north of England saw significant decline.
- An industry-wide agreement was reached.
American English
- The Industrial Revolution began in Britain.
- They conducted an industry-specific analysis.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My father works in industry.
- The car industry is important for the city.
- The tourist industry brings money to our town.
- She showed great industry in finishing her work.
- The film industry has been transformed by streaming services.
- Government policy aims to support emerging industries.
- Deindustrialisation left a void that the service sector has struggled to fill.
- The consultancy operates at the intersection of the finance and technology industries.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of INDUSTRY as IN-DUST-Y: working hard (creating dust) inside a factory.
Conceptual Metaphor
INDUSTRY IS A MACHINE (e.g., 'the wheels of industry', 'a well-oiled industry'); INDUSTRY IS A LIVING ORGANISM (e.g., 'a thriving industry', 'a dying industry').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'индустрия' for the 'diligence' meaning; use 'трудолюбие' or 'усердие'.
- Russian 'промышленность' is closer to 'manufacturing industry', not the broader English term which includes services.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'industry' as an uncountable noun when a specific sector is meant (e.g., 'He works in industry' vs. 'He works in the energy industry').
- Confusing 'industry' (sector) with 'factory' (a single plant).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'industry' used to mean 'diligence'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. As a countable noun, it refers to specific sectors (e.g., 'several industries'). As an uncountable noun, it refers to economic activity in general (e.g., 'a decline in industry').
'Industry' refers to a broad economic sector or activity. A 'factory' is a single building or plant where goods are manufactured, which is part of an industry.
It is less common in everyday speech and is considered somewhat formal or literary. Words like 'hard work' or 'diligence' are more frequent in modern usage.
It's an idiomatic term for a powerful and influential business leader or industrialist, often from the 19th or early 20th century.
Collections
Part of a collection
Work and Jobs
A2 · 49 words · Jobs, professions and the world of work.
Business Vocabulary
B1 · 50 words · Fundamental language of commerce and trade.
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