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

His factory purchases raw seaweed, grills it with oil and salt, and cuts it into the familiar rectangular sheets sold in stores.

From BBC

In Kenya, the owner of a factory that exports Wrangler and Levi's jeans under the deal said the extension was "good news".

From Barron's

“We’re going to take the Model S and X production space in our Fremont factory and convert that into an Optimus factory,” said Musk on Tesla’s Jan. 28 earnings conference call.

From Barron's

Mother was sent to work in a munitions factory while I cleaned latrines at the railroad station.

From Literature

Base Power is using the more than $1.3 billion it has raised, in part, to expand its energy storage and power electronics factory, which is located in the former Austin American-Statesman building downtown.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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