industrial
Americanadjective
-
of, pertaining to, of the nature of, or resulting from industry.
industrial production; industrial waste.
-
having many and highly developed industries.
an industrial nation.
-
engaged in an industry or industries.
industrial workers.
-
of or relating to the workers in industries.
industrial training.
-
used in industry.
industrial diamonds: industrial fabrics.
-
noting or pertaining to industrial life insurance.
adjective
-
of, relating to, derived from, or characteristic of industry
-
employed in industry
the industrial workforce
-
relating to or concerned with workers in industry
industrial conditions
-
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
Explanation
Something industrial has to do with industry or factories. If you're taking a stroll alone at night, avoid the industrial areas — there aren't many people around after business hours and it can be kind of spooky. Industrial, besides meaning "having to do with industry," has also come to mean "tough," capable of withstanding wear and tear. If you're carpeting your home, avoid industrial carpet. It's easy to clean but not so soft. An industrial nation is a developed nation with manufacturing as part of its economy. If you work in the industrial sector, as opposed to say the arts sector, you work in manufacturing.
Vocabulary lists containing industrial
Eastern Europe - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
East Asia - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
East Asia - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When made on a grand, industrial scale, art requires a team, always with the risk of significant contributors feeling discarded or resentful.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
The industrial real-estate company reported first-quarter earnings of $1.05 a share, up from 63 cents in the year-earlier quarter.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Most were non-unionised contract workers employed in small factories across industrial clusters, producing auto parts, electronics and garments, among other things.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
If lithium can be recovered from shale or from leftover industrial materials, it could reduce the need for new mining operations.
From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026
Four hours after his departure, Powers soared over Sverdlovsk, an important industrial city that had never before been photographed by a U-2 plane.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
