factory

noun

fac·​to·​ry ˈfak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce factory (audio)
plural factories
Synonyms of factorynext
1
: a station where factors reside and trade
a colonial factory
2
a
: a building or set of buildings with facilities for manufacturing
b
: the seat of some kind of production
the vice factories of the slums
factorylike
ˈfak-t(ə-)rē-ˌlīk How to pronounce factory (audio)
adjective

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of factory in a Sentence

She got a job in the factory. the new factory will create hundreds of much-needed jobs
Recent Examples on the Web In the Galerie des Gobelins building, once part of the Gobelins tapestry factory, Restoring the Grands Decors of Notre Dame comes to life. —Lindsey Tramuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2024 Investigators looking into the Alaska flight say bolts that help keep the door plug in place were missing after repair work at a Boeing factory. —David Koenig, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for factory 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'factory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

fact(or) entry 1 + -ory entry 1; in sense 1 after Portuguese feitoria; in sense 2 perhaps short for manufactory

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of factory was in 1582

Phrases Containing factory

Dictionary Entries Near factory

factor X

factory

factory committee

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Factory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/factory. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

factory

noun
fac·​to·​ry ˈfak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce factory (audio)
plural factories
: a building or set of buildings equipped for manufacturing
Etymology

from early French factorie "a place where business is carried on," derived from Latin factor "one that does or makes," from factus, past participle of facere "to make, do" — related to fashion, manufacture

More from Merriam-Webster on factory

Nglish: Translation of factory for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of factory for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about factory

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