industry
gb/ˈɪndəstɹi/ us/ˈɪndəstɹi/
B1
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Production of goods or services
The work of making things in factories or providing services as part of the economy.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] works in [an industry]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'industry' with 'factory', but 'industry' refers to the whole area of economic activity, not just one building.
Synonyms
sector (Often used to mean a specific part of the economy, sometimes interchangeable with 'industry'.)
|
business (Broader term that can refer to commercial activity in general, not necessarily large-scale production.)
Antonyms
agriculture (In economic classification, agriculture is often contrasted with industry as a separate primary sector.)
Collocations
manufacturing industry
|service industry
|tourism industry
|film industry
|automotive industry
Themes
business
|economy
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The automotive industry has seen significant growth this year.
- Tourism is a major industry in this country.
- She works in the film industry.
- The tech industry is highly competitive.
- Many jobs have been lost in the manufacturing industry.
Learner examples
- The car industry makes many jobs.
- Tourism is an important industry here.
- He works in the food industry.
- The film industry makes many movies.
- The clothing industry is big in this city.
Noun
B2
property
2
Habit of hard work
The habit of working hard for a long time.
Usage pattern:
[someone] shows industry in [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the economic sense; context usually clarifies whether it refers to hard work or a business sector.
Synonyms
diligence (A close synonym, often used more in formal contexts to mean careful and persistent work.)
|
hard work (Informal and very common way to express the same idea.)
Antonyms
laziness (Direct opposite, meaning unwillingness to work or use energy.)
Collocations
with great industry
|show industry
|apply industry
Themes
work
|personal qualities
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She completed the project with great industry.
- His success is due to his industry and determination.
- The students worked with remarkable industry on their assignments.
Learner examples
- She studies with great industry.
- He shows industry at school.
- They worked with industry to finish the job.
Grammar
Dictionary form
industry
IPA
GB/ˈɪndəstɹi/
US/ˈɪndəstɹi/
Syllables & stress
in - dustry (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: industry
- Plural: industries, industry
Word family
Expressions
captains of industry
1/kˈæptənz əv ˈɪndəstɹi/
fixed phrase
Powerful industrial business leaders
Very important and powerful people who run big companies or industries.
Examples
- The conference was attended by politicians and captains of industry.
- Captains of industry have a big influence on economic policy.
film industry
1/fˈɪlm ˈɪndəstɹi/
fixed phrase
Business of movie production
All the companies and people who make movies.
Examples
- She has worked in the film industry for 20 years.
- The film industry generates millions in revenue each year.
cottage industry
1/kˈɑtɪd͡ʒ ˈɪndəstɹi/
fixed phrase
Small-scale home-based business
A small business that is run from someone's home rather than from a big factory.
Examples
- Handmade soap has become a popular cottage industry.
- The internet has made it easier for cottage industries to sell their products worldwide.
- Before industrialization, weaving was a common cottage industry.
- She runs a cottage industry making handmade candles.
sunrise industry
1/sˈʌnɹˌaɪz ˈɪndəstɹi/
fixed phrase
new and fast-growing industry
A new type of business activity that is growing quickly and is seen as having a good future.
Examples
- Renewable energy is considered a sunrise industry.
- Renewable energy is often described as a sunrise industry.
- Several tech startups are part of this sunrise industry.
- The government wants to support sunrise industries with tax breaks.
- Technology start-ups are part of a global sunrise industry.
sunset industry
1/sˈʌnsˌɛt ˈɪndəstɹi/
idiom
Industry in decline
A type of business that is becoming less successful or important.
Examples
- Coal mining is often called a sunset industry.
- The government is offering support to workers from sunset industries.
sunset industry
2/sˈʌnsˌɛt ˈɪndəstɹi/
idiom
industry in long-term decline
An industry or type of business that is slowly dying and will probably not be important in the future.
Examples
- Many consider coal mining a sunset industry in developed countries.
- The government is shifting support away from sunset industries and toward new technologies.
- Working in a sunset industry can be risky because jobs may disappear.