Definition

1. Noun:
   • A major historical shift in production methods: The "industrial revolution" refers to the profound economic and social transformation that began in the late 18th century, characterized by the shift from manual labor and agrarian economies to machine-based manufacturing and industrial economies.
   • A specific historical period: It commonly denotes the first Industrial Revolution, which originated in Great Britain around 1760, involving the introduction of steam power, the growth of factories, and the mass production of goods.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The industrial revolution fundamentally changed society, leading to urbanization and new social classes.
  • Many historians study the technological innovations that fueled the industrial revolution.

Advanced Usage

• "The second industrial revolution": Refers to a later period of rapid industrialization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by steel, electricity, and chemical advances.
  • The widespread use of electricity was a hallmark of the second industrial revolution.

Variants and Related Words

• Industrialization (n): The process of developing industries in a country or region on a wide scale.
  • The industrialization of the nation followed its political reforms.
• Industrialize (v): To develop industries.
  • The country sought to industrialize its economy rapidly.

Synonyms

• Technological revolution: A period of rapid technological change that transforms society.
• Mechanization: The process of introducing machines to replace human or animal labor.

Related Phrases

• "Post-industrial revolution": Referring to the period or society that develops after the dominance of manufacturing, often focused on information and services.
  • Some economists argue we are now in a post-industrial revolution era.

Noun

1. the transformation from an agricultural to an industrial nation