means of production: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Academic, Political, Technical, Formal
Quick answer
What does “means of production” mean?
The physical and non-physical assets (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The physical and non-physical assets (e.g., factories, machinery, land, technology, infrastructure) used in the process of producing economic goods, distinct from the labour itself.
A Marxist and political-economic term for the resources and tools necessary for creating products or services, central to theories of class relations, ownership, and economic systems.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in form and core meaning. Discussions in the UK may more frequently reference nationalisation or public ownership models. In the US, usage is often confined to academic or explicitly socialist discourse.
Connotations
In both regions, the term is strongly associated with Marxist and critical political economy. In general discourse, it can carry a socialist or anti-capitalist connotation.
Frequency
More frequent in academic (Economics, Sociology, Political Science) and political commentary contexts than in everyday conversation, with similar frequency across both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “means of production” in a Sentence
[Subject] owns/controls the means of production.The [adjective] means of production are [state].Conflict arises over the means of production.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “means of production” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The workers sought to collectivise the means of production.
- The state nationalised the key means of production.
American English
- The community voted to socialize the means of production.
- The firm aimed to automate its means of production.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable; the phrase does not generate standard adverb forms.]
American English
- [Not applicable; the phrase does not generate standard adverb forms.]
adjective
British English
- The means-of-production question is central to the debate.
- He gave a means-of-production analysis of the industry.
American English
- Their means-of-productions strategy was flawed.
- It was a classic means-of-production conflict.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare in standard business; might appear in strategic discussions about vertical integration or capital investment.
Academic
Core concept in Marxist theory, political economy, sociology, and economic history.
Everyday
Virtually absent except in political discussions about economic systems.
Technical
Precise term in Marxist and heterodox economic analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “means of production”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “means of production”
- Using 'mean of production' (incorrect singular).
- Confusing it with 'mode of production' (which includes the social relations).
- Using it as a synonym for 'factory' or 'business' alone; it's a broader categorical term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically plural. You use it with plural verbs: 'The means of production are owned by...' Not 'is owned by...'
In modern extensions of the term, yes. Software, patents, and algorithms can be considered non-physical or 'immaterial' means of production.
In classical economics, they overlap. In Marxist theory, 'means of production' is a broader category that becomes 'capital' only when used to generate profit through the exploitation of wage labour.
While it is central to Marxist theory, it is also used descriptively in other fields like economic history, sociology, and political science to neutrally describe productive assets.
The physical and non-physical assets (e.
Means of production is usually academic, political, technical, formal in register.
Means of production: in British English it is pronounced /miːnz əv prəˈdʌkʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /minz əv prəˈdəkʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not idiom-rich; term is itself a set phrase]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a factory's MEANS (machines, tools) FOR the PRODUCTION of goods. Who owns them defines the economic system.
Conceptual Metaphor
ECONOMIC SYSTEMS ARE DEFINED BY OWNERSHIP OF TOOLS.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically considered a 'means of production'?