industry
industry — noun
1. the businesses and factories that produce goods for sale, such as cars, clothing
the businesses and factories that produce goods for sale, such as cars, clothing, or electronic devices — manufacturing as a broad sector of the economy
Meera found a job in the manufacturing industry after finishing her engineering degree.
adjective + industry: manufacturing industry
Government trade policies can help local industry grow or cause it to shrink.
uncountable: local industry
Heavy industries such as car-making require large factories and a lot of energy.
New automation technology is changing the clothing industry by speeding up production.
The steel industry in northern England has hired many new workers this year.
- manufacturing
narrower than industry — strictly the process of making goods in factories
- production
focuses on the output itself rather than the whole sector
- commerce
broader — includes trade and services, not just goods
文法句型
industry + verb
adjective + industry
industry of [product]
用法筆記
As an uncountable noun, industry refers to manufacturing activity in general. As a countable noun with a modifier (e.g. 'the car industry'), it refers to one specific sector. This sense is the most common meaning in news and business contexts.
常見錯誤
2. the people, companies, and work that form a particular area of business, such as
the people, companies, and work that form a particular area of business, such as tourism, film-making, or banking
The tourism industry brings a great deal of money to coastal towns every summer.
the [sector] industry: tourism industry
Emma started her career in the fashion industry as a designer right after university.
The film industry in Mumbai produces more movies each year than any other city.
New banking apps are transforming the financial services industry around the world.
The restaurant industry faced severe difficulties during the long months of lockdown.
文法句型
the [adjective] industry
industry + noun (industry expert)
用法筆記
Nearly always used with a preceding modifier that names the field. The definite article 'the' is standard. Common in job descriptions and business news.
常見錯誤
3. an activity or product that is sold in very large amounts and earns substantial
an activity or product that is sold in very large amounts and earns substantial profits for those involved
Fitness training has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry around the world.
The wedding-planning business became a huge industry in many countries over the past decade.
become + a + adjective + industry
Online education turned into a major industry after schools closed around the world.
Organic food now makes up a fast-growing industry across Europe and parts of Asia.
Smartphone repair services have become a profitable industry in just a few years.
- big business
informal; focuses on the profit-making scale rather than the type of activity
- enterprise
more formal; can refer to any business venture, not necessarily large-scale
文法句型
become/grow into + an industry
a + adjective + industry
用法筆記
This sense emphasises the financial scale and profitability of an activity. It often appears with verbs like 'become', 'grow into', and 'turn into' to describe how a small activity expanded into a large money-making business.
常見錯誤
4. the habit of putting steady effort into your work over a long period, never stop
the habit of putting steady effort into your work over a long period, never stopping when challenges arise
Hoa was praised by her manager for her industry and dependability at work.
possessive + industry: her industry
The research project succeeded because of the team's industry and careful planning.
His industry and attention to detail helped him finish the book well ahead of schedule.
The teacher noticed the student's industry in completing every extra assignment she gave.
Through great industry and steady focus, Noa learned fluent Korean in just one year.
- diligence
very close in meaning; slightly more formal and often used in academic contexts
- hard work
less formal; everyday term for the same concept
- application
focuses on sustained effort toward a specific goal
文法句型
[possessive] + industry
industry + and + [noun]
用法筆記
This sense is formal and more common in written or evaluative contexts (reports, letters of recommendation, school reports) than in everyday speech. It is always uncountable. Distinguish from sense 1 where 'industry' refers to factories and manufacturing — here the meaning is about a person's effort and diligence.