Definition

1. Noun:
   • The organized action of making goods and services for sale: This refers to the large-scale production of goods or the provision of services within an economy.
   • A particular branch of commercial enterprise: This refers to a specific group of businesses or companies that produce a particular type of product or service.
   • Persevering determination to perform a task; diligence: This is a less common, formal meaning referring to hard work and constant effort.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to economic production:
  • American industry is making increased use of computers. (This describes the manufacturing sector of a nation.)
  • The government is investing in renewable energy industry. (This specifies a particular commercial sector.)
• Referring to a specific commercial sector:
  • Each industry has its own trade publications. (This refers to distinct business fields like automotive, fashion, or technology.)
  • She works in the film industry. (This indicates a specific field of commercial activity.)
• Referring to diligence (formal/literary):
  • Frugality and industry are still regarded as virtues. (Here, 'industry' is a personal quality synonymous with hard work.)

Advanced Usage

• "Captains of industry": A phrase referring to powerful business leaders and industrialists.
  • The 19th century was the era of the captains of industry.
• "Industry standard": A common specification or practice within a particular commercial field.
  • This software has become the industry standard for graphic design.

Variants and Related Words

• Industrial (adj): Relating to or characterized by industry.
  • The city went through rapid industrial growth.
• Industrialize (verb): To develop industries in a country or region on a wide scale.
  • The nation began to industrialize in the late 19th century.
• Industrious (adj): Diligent and hard-working. (This adjective relates to the 'diligence' meaning of the noun).
  • She is an industrious student who always completes her work.

Synonyms

• Manufacturing: The process of making goods, often used interchangeably with 'industry' in the production context.
• Sector: A distinct part of the economy, such as the service sector or private sector.
• Diligence: Careful and persistent work or effort. (Synonym for the 'hard work' meaning).

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Industry-wide": Affecting or involving an entire commercial sector.
  • The new regulation will lead to industry-wide changes.
• "Cottage industry": A small, home-based business, often contrasted with large-scale factory production.
  • Pottery-making started as a cottage industry in the village.

Noun

1. persevering determination to perform a task
   • his diligence won him quick promotions
   • frugality and industry are still regarded as virtues
2. the organized action of making of goods and services for sale
   • American industry is making increased use of computers to control production
3. the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
   • each industry has its own trade publications