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industrial revolution
noun
: a rapid major change in an economy (as in England in the late 18th century) marked by the general introduction of power-driven machinery or by an important change in the prevailing types and methods of use of such machines
Examples of industrial revolution in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the United States, the 1920s were also marked by major developments in the industrial revolution.
—Carlos Moreno, Fortune, 7 May 2024
However, the steam engine transformed transportation and manufacturing, ushering in the global efficiencies of the industrial revolution.
—Tracy Price, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Economic historians have observed industrial revolutions, factory automation and globalization, all of which were expected to reduce the requirement for workers in different ways.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 2 Feb. 2024
The continent is the primary home of the resources critical to the world’s green industrial revolution, particularly the minerals that fuel electric vehicles (EVs).
—Ivor Ichikowitz, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2024
From steel fabricated without coal, to beer brewed without natural gas, to cement that sequesters carbon, an industrial revolution is unfolding.
—Jeffrey Rissman, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024
But the industrial revolution has thrown off so much wealth that there’s enough left over to solve those problems too without sacrificing the higher living standards that come with it.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 Mar. 2024
For centuries, Spaniards have not wanted to look back – the major narrative is decline from once commanding the most powerful empire in the Western World, until Northern Europe’s industrial revolution put pay to that.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024
The country was in the vanguard of the industrial revolution in the nineteenth century, establishing dominant positions in electrical components manufacturing and chemical production.
—Jim Vinoski, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'industrial revolution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1840, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of industrial revolution was
in 1840
Dictionary Entries Near industrial revolution
Cite this Entry
“Industrial revolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/industrial%20revolution. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
industrial revolution
noun
: a rapid major change in an economy (as in England in the late 18th century) marked by the general introduction of power-driven machinery
More from Merriam-Webster on industrial revolution
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about industrial revolution
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