industrial

American  

[in-duhs-tree-uhl] / ɪnˈdʌs tri əl /

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, of the nature of, or resulting from industry.

   industrial production; industrial waste.

2. having many and highly developed industries.

   an industrial nation.

3. engaged in an industry or industries.

   industrial workers.

4. of or relating to the workers in industries.

   industrial training.

5. used in industry.

   industrial diamonds: industrial fabrics.

6. noting or pertaining to industrial life insurance.

---

noun

1. an industrial product.

   diamonds classed as industrials and nonindustrials.

2. a company engaged in industrial enterprises.

3. an employee in some industry, especially a manufacturing industry.

4. industrials, stocks and bonds of industrial companies.

industrial British  

/ ɪnˈdʌstrɪəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, derived from, or characteristic of industry

2. employed in industry

   the industrial workforce

3. relating to or concerned with workers in industry

   industrial conditions

4. used in industry

   industrial chemicals

---

Other Word Forms

• industrially adverb
• industrialness noun
• nonindustrial adjective
• nonindustrially adverb
• preindustrial adjective
• proindustrial adjective
• quasi-industrial adjective
• quasi-industrially adverb
• semi-industrial adjective
• semi-industrially adverb
• unindustrial adjective

Etymology

Origin of industrial

First recorded in 1580–90; industry + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The pessimistic case is that a prolonged conflict sends price shocks rippling through fertilizers, industrial chemicals and semiconductor production.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

As the lake’s water sources diminish because of water use agreements regarding the Colorado River, and as this region gains more industrial activity from proposed lithium extraction, air pollution is likely to only worsen.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Metal-intensive industrial equipment and electrical grid equipment will pay a 15% rate through 2027, and products made abroad but “entirely with American steel, aluminum, and copper” will be subject to 10% tariffs.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The researchers suggest that existing industrial fryers could be upgraded with microwave generators, which are relatively low cost and widely available.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

Though the Respectables had steady work, their wages were consistently low, as they found themselves shut out of higher-paying factory jobs in Chicago’s fast-growing industrial base.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

Related Words

• industrialized
• mechanical
• modern
• technical