industrial
gb/ɪndˈʌstɹiəl/ us/ɪndˈʌstɹiəl/
B1
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Related to manufacturing or factories
About making products in factories or big businesses.
Usage pattern:
[industrial] [product/area/process]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'industrial' with 'industry'. 'Industrial' is an adjective, while 'industry' is a noun.
Synonyms
manufacturing (Focuses specifically on the process of making goods, often in factories.)
Antonyms
agricultural (Refers to farming and cultivation rather than manufacturing.)
Collocations
industrial area
|industrial production
|industrial sector
|industrial growth
|industrial machinery
Themes
business
|economy
|technology
|work
Examples
- The city is known for its industrial heritage.
- Industrial production has increased over the last quarter.
- They work in an industrial area outside the city.
- The company invested in new industrial machinery.
- Industrial growth has slowed in recent years.
Learner examples
- The town has many industrial buildings.
- She works in an industrial park.
- Industrial jobs are common here.
- The factory is in an industrial zone.
adjective
B1
property
2
Having many industries
A place that has many factories and businesses making things.
Usage pattern:
[industrial] [city/country/region]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'industry' instead of 'industrial' when describing places. 'Industrial' is the correct adjective form.
Synonyms
industrialized (Emphasizes that the place has undergone industrial development.)
Antonyms
rural (Describes areas with low population density and little industry.)
Collocations
industrial city
|industrial nation
|industrial hub
Themes
business
|economy
|work
Examples
- Manchester was one of the first industrial cities.
- Japan is a highly industrial country.
- The region transformed from farmland into an industrial hub.
Learner examples
- This is an industrial city.
- The country is very industrial.
- The area became industrial after the new factory opened.
adjective
B2
property
3
Made for industry use
Made for factories or big businesses, not for home use.
Usage pattern:
[industrial] [equipment/machine/tool]
Synonyms
commercial-grade (Indicates products made for heavy or frequent use, often in business settings.)
Antonyms
domestic (Intended for home or personal use rather than industry.)
Collocations
industrial equipment
|industrial tools
|industrial chemicals
Themes
technology
|business
|work
Examples
- The plant uses industrial equipment to process raw materials.
- He bought industrial-strength cleaner for the workshop.
- Industrial robots now handle much of the assembly work.
Learner examples
- The factory has industrial machines.
- We use industrial tools here.
- This cleaner is for industrial use only.
Noun
C1
entity
4
Person or company in industry
A person or company that makes things in factories.
Synonyms
manufacturer (Specifically refers to a person or company that makes goods, often on a large scale.)
Antonyms
consumer (Someone who buys and uses goods rather than producing them.)
Collocations
leading industrials
|major industrials
Themes
business
|work
Examples
- Several major industrials attended the trade fair.
- The policy changes will benefit small industrials across the region.
- He became a leading industrial in the steel sector.
Learner examples
- Many industrials came to the meeting.
- She is a well-known industrial in the city.
- Industrials make many products here.
Grammar
Dictionary form
industrial
IPA
GB/ɪndˈʌstɹiəl/
US/ɪndˈʌstɹiəl/
Syllables & stress
in - dus - tri - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (dus)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: industrial
Noun
- Base: industrial
- Plural: industrials
Word family
Forms
industrials
noun
Core family
industry
noun B1
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
non-industrial
adjective
Advanced or less common
industrialist
noun
deindustrialize
verb
deindustrialization
noun
Expressions
industrial action
1/ɪndˈʌstɹiəl ˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
Workers' protest to change conditions/pay
When workers stop working or slow down work to get better pay or conditions.
Examples
- The union has threatened to take industrial action if negotiations fail.
- Industrial action disrupted train services across the country.
industrial estate
1/ɪndˈʌstɹiəl ɪstˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
Area with factories/businesses
An area where there are many factories and businesses making or moving goods.
Examples
- The new warehouse is located on the edge of the industrial estate.
- The industrial estate is located outside the city center.
- Several tech companies have moved into the industrial estate recently.
- Several new companies have opened offices on the industrial estate.
industrial revolution
1/ɪndˈʌstɹiəl ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
Period of major industrialization
A time in history when machines and factories became common, starting in the 1700s.
Examples
- The Industrial Revolution began in Britain and changed the world economy.
- The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the 18th century.
- Many people moved to cities during the Industrial Revolution.
- Steam power was central to the Industrial Revolution.