Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):
   • To introduce or develop industries and industrial methods in (a country, region, or sector); to organize the production of something on an industrial scale.
2. Verb (Intransitive):
   • To become industrial in character, methods, or scale; to undergo the process of industrial development.

Usage

• The verb describes the process of transforming an economy or society from one based primarily on agriculture and handicrafts to one dominated by manufacturing and industry.
• It can be used with an object (transitive) to indicate the entity being industrialized.
• It can be used without an object (intransitive) to describe the process a country or region undergoes.

Examples

• Transitive use:
  • The government's plan is to industrialise the northern region to boost the economy.
  • In the 19th century, Britain industrialised textile production, moving it from homes to factories.
• Intransitive use:
  • Many nations in Asia began to industrialise rapidly in the late 20th century.
  • As the country industrialised, its population shifted from rural areas to cities.

Advanced Usage

• "to industrialise a process": To convert a craft or manual process into one using machinery and standardized methods.
  • The company sought to industrialise the assembly of the components to increase output.
• The process of industrialising: Often used in economic and historical contexts to describe a major societal shift.
  • The industrialising nations faced new challenges, including urban overcrowding and labour disputes.

Variants and Related Words

• Industrialisation (n): The process of industrialising; the social and economic change associated with the development of industry.
  • Rapid industrialisation can lead to environmental problems.
• Industrialised (adj): Describing a country or region that has undergone industrialisation.
  • The most industrialised nations have high levels of technological development.
• Industrial (adj): Relating to or characterized by industry.
  • The city grew around its industrial base.

Synonyms

• Develop industrially: To grow or advance through the establishment of industries.
• Mechanize: To introduce machines or automatic devices into (a process or activity). (Note: This is more specific to the introduction of machinery, which is a key part of industrialisation.)

Antonyms

• Deindustrialise: To reduce or remove industrial activity from (a region or economy).

Verb

1. develop industry; become industrial
   • The nations of South East Asia will quickly industrialize and catch up with the West
2. organize (the production of something) into an industry
   • The Chinese industrialized textile production