deindustrialize

American  

[dee-in-duhs-tree-uh-lahyz] / ˌdi ɪnˈdʌs tri əˌlaɪz /

especially British; deindustrialise or de-industrialize

verb (used with object)

deindustrialized, deindustrializing

1. to cause to lose industrial capability or strength; make less industrial in character or emphasis.

2. to deprive (a conquered nation) of the means or potential for industrial growth.

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verb (used without object)

deindustrialized, deindustrializing

1. to lose industrial capability or character; become deindustrialized.

deindustrialize British  

/ ˌdiːɪnˈdʌstrɪəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to reduce the importance of manufacturing industry in the economy of (a nation or area)

2. (intr) (of a nation or area) to undergo reduction in the importance of manufacturing industry in the economy

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Other Word Forms

• deindustrialization noun

Etymology

Origin of deindustrialize

First recorded in 1880–85; de- + industrialize

Example Sentences

“This is not a plan to decarbonize the Australian economy but rather a plan to deindustrialize it,” O’Brien said.

From Seattle Times

I watched the shoreline deindustrialize from waterfront developments to pristine forests.

From Washington Post

Of course, biology turned out to be far more complicated than most had appreciated, and discovery remains something that we’ve now recognized isn’t ideally performed in an industrialized fashion – indeed, most big pharmas are now trying, in many ways, to “deindustrialize” their discovery process, and break it down into smaller and more individualized teams, with less central control and direction.

From Forbes

The reversals have gripped Japan with a sense of national angst over its future, though economists are divided over how much the nation will actually deindustrialize — and whether a shift away from factories is really such a bad thing.

From New York Times