factory

[fak-tuh-ree, -tree]

noun

plural

factories 

1. a building or group of buildings with facilities for the manufacture of goods.

2. any place producing a uniform product, without concern for individuality.

   They call it a law school, but it's just a degree factory.

3. (formerly) an establishment for factors and merchants carrying on business in a foreign country.

factory

/ ˈfæktərɪ /

noun

1. 1. a building or group of buildings containing a plant assembly for the manufacture of goods

   2. ( as modifier )

      a factory worker

2. rare,  a trading station maintained by factors in a foreign country

3. (formerly) a main trading station for the exchange and transshipment of furs

Other Word Forms

• factory-like adjective
• factorylike adjective
• subfactory noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of factory¹

From the Medieval Latin word factōria, dating back to 1550–60. See factor, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of factory¹

C16: from Late Latin factorium ; see _factor

Example Sentences

These are robots that the company aims to deploy in everything from childcare work to factory tasks.

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Mango does not own any factory, outsourcing its production mainly to lower-cost Turkey and Asia.

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Authorities will also announce other closely watched data Monday, including on retail sales and factory output, providing an extra insight into the state of the economy.

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Shipments have yet to resume from Nexperia’s factories in Europe and China, the people said.

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"I know that everyone at the factory is working incredibly hard and they are focussed," he said.

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Related Words

• branch 
• cooperative 
• firm 
• industry 
• laboratory 
• mill 
• shop 
• workshop