factory

American  

[fak-tuh-ree, -tree] / ˈfæk tə ri, -tri /

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.

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factory British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• factory-like adjective
• factorylike adjective
• subfactory noun

Etymology

Origin of factory

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

Example Sentences

Samsung slowed construction of a new factory to produce memory just two years ago because of a global lull in demand.

From The Wall Street Journal

Under the agreement, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing will add several new factories to its cluster in Arizona as part of a $250 billion investment in the U.S., the Commerce Department said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Stripping out trade in vehicles, parts and accessories, factory sales in November nudged up 0.1% and were 0.3% higher than a year earlier.

From The Wall Street Journal

One idea is that Ford would import batteries from BYD to Ford’s factories outside the U.S., some of the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fleetzero’s Houston factory currently has enough capacity to make about 25 such systems a year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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