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

In the past, Nexperia relied on its European factories and contract manufacturers in Taiwan to make chips for China.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Many workers see shuttered factories, rocketing bills, and a vanishing safety net.

Read more on BBC

Japan's biggest brewer was forced to pause operations at most of its 30 factories in the country after a cyber-attack late last month disrupted everything from beer shipments to its accounting system.

Read more on BBC

It comes weeks after Jaguar Land Rover halted operations at its UK factories for around a month following a crippling and costly cyberattack.

Read more on Barron's

Money went toward new models, EV battery development and converting traditional auto factories into EV plants.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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