Main Entry:: in·dus·try
Pronunciation:: \ˈin-(ˌ)dəs-trē\
Function:: noun
Inflected Form(s):: plural in·dus·tries
Etymology:: Middle English (Scots) industrie, from Middle French, from Latin industria, from industrius diligent, from Old Latin indostruus, perhaps from indu in + -struus (akin to Latin struere to build) — more at end-, strew
Date:: 15th century

1: diligence in an employment or pursuit ; especially : steady or habitual effort2 a: systematic labor especially for some useful purpose or the creation of something of value b: a department or branch of a craft, art, business, or manufacture ; especially : one that employs a large personnel and capital especially in manufacturing c: a distinct group of productive or profit-making enterprises <the banking industry> d: manufacturing activity as a whole <the nation's industry>3: work devoted to the study of a particular subject or author <the Shakespeare industry>

synonyms see business

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