industrial
ihn-DUHS-tree-uhl
Industrial (adjective) means relating to industry, especially manufacturing. Example: “The industrial estate on the edge of town is home to several factories.”
adjective
1
Relating to industry, especially manufacturing.
"The industrial estate on the edge of town is home to several factories."
"Industrial waste must be treated before it is released into the river."
"The city's industrial district is full of old warehouses and factories."
2
Made for or suited to heavy manufacturing use, often implying strength or scale.
"The factory installed industrial fans strong enough to cool the whole warehouse."
"Builders chose industrial steel shelving because it could carry very heavy loads."
"They bought an industrial dishwasher for the restaurant."
3
Relating to the industrial music genre, marked by harsh electronic and mechanical sounds.
"I like the harsh, grinding guitars you hear in industrial bands."
"Her playlist mixes gentle folk with loud industrial tracks full of clanging machine noises."
"The band's new album leans heavily into an industrial sound."
How to use industrial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to factories, manufacturing, or heavy-duty equipment.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
industrial revolution
industrial estate
industrial-grade
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more industrial
- Superlative
- most industrial
Fill the gap
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The _____ estate on the edge of town is home to several factories.
Etymology
From French industriel, built from industry plus -al.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonindustrial
unindustrial
Related words
Rhymes for industrial
See all rhymes for industrial →Frequently asked questions
What does “industrial” mean?
The word “industrial” means relating to industry, especially manufacturing. In plain terms, relating to factories, manufacturing, or heavy-duty equipment.
How do you pronounce “industrial”?
“Industrial” is pronounced ihn-DUHS-tree-uhl (/ɪnˈdʌs.tɹi.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “industrial” in a sentence?
Here is “industrial” used in a sentence: “The city's industrial district is full of old warehouses and factories.”
What is the opposite of “industrial”?
The opposite of “industrial” — its antonyms — are nonindustrial and unindustrial.
What part of speech is “industrial”?
“Industrial” is an adjective.
Where does the word “industrial” come from?
The word “industrial” comes from French. From French industriel, built from industry plus -al.
Is “industrial” a common word?
“Industrial” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “industrial” have?
“Industrial” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to industry, especially manufacturing.
What is the difference between industrial and commercial?
Industrial relates to making or producing goods — factories, plants, and heavy machinery. Commercial relates to trade and business: buying, selling, offices, and retail. An industrial site manufactures products; a commercial site sells them or provides services. In property, the two are usually zoned and regulated separately.
What is an example of something industrial?
Anything tied to manufacturing or production: a factory, an industrial estate, heavy machinery, a steel plant, or industrial chemicals. The word also describes a look or style — 'industrial design,' with exposed metal, brick, and pipework — borrowed from the appearance of real factories and warehouses.
What is the difference between industrial and residential?
Industrial describes areas and buildings used for manufacturing and production, such as factories and warehouses. Residential describes places where people live — houses and apartments. In town planning, land is commonly divided into industrial, commercial, and residential zones so that noisy production stays separate from homes.
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