cottage industry

American  

noun

1. the production, for sale, of goods at home, as the making of handicrafts by rural families.

2. any small-scale, loosely organized industry.

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cottage industry British  

noun

1. an industry in which employees work in their own homes, often using their own equipment

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Etymology

Origin of cottage industry

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The company has moved away from being primarily a supplier to the automotive industry and instead sought to capitalise on the massive AI investment boom.

From Barron's • Jul. 2, 2026

Unlike with chatbots, verification and compliance are key considerations in the safety-first automotive industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026

"To secure the future of the automotive industry in Saxony and in Germany, it is essential not to ignore this reality," he told AFP.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

Rinker, who is retired, had a long career in the automotive industry.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

The automotive industry loves people like my father, because it means they can make lots of money from repairs that the car may or may not need.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman