industrial arts

American  

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) the methods of using tools and machinery, as taught in secondary and technical schools.

2. (used with a singular verb) a subject or course of study that teaches such methods and skills.

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Etymology

Origin of industrial arts

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Culver started teaching career and technical education classes in the Evergreen School District after graduating from the Washington State University’s college of education and industrial arts.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 4, 2022

In my case, I never had someone to teach me beyond the one industrial arts class I took in junior high.

From Washington Post • Sep. 28, 2022

As a young man he served in World War II with the Army Air Forces in the Pacific; he later graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied industrial arts and mathematics.

From New York Times • Sep. 21, 2015

“It was wrong to change his look,” said Judy Kingsberry, the daughter of William Harry Wheeler, who built Tex in 1959 while he taught industrial arts at Canyon High School.

From Washington Times • Jul. 23, 2015

Kristina nods and starts walking toward the street entrance, and I run across the parking lot and in the side door by the industrial arts wing.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King