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

• factorylike adjective
• subfactory noun
• factory-like adjective

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

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on Barron's

Only about 15% of what it sells in the U.S. is sourced regionally, mostly from factories in North America.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Picture a future where factories can create materials and chemical compounds more quickly, at lower cost, and with fewer production steps.

Read more on Science Daily

In a message on the social network Telegram, Maduro said he was mobilizing the military, police and a civilian militia to defend Venezuela's "mountains, coasts, schools, hospitals, factories and markets."

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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