factory

noun

fac·​to·​ry ˈfak-t(ə-)rē 

plural factories

1

: a station where factors reside and trade

a colonial factory

2

a

: a building or set of buildings with facilities for manufacturing

b

: the seat of some kind of production

the vice factories of the slums

factorylike

ˈfak-t(ə-)rē-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• manufactory
• mill
• plant
• shop
• works
• workshop

Examples of factory in a Sentence

She got a job in the factory.

the new factory will create hundreds of much-needed jobs

Recent Examples on the Web

In perhaps the most famous example, Trump and Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn in 2017 announced plans to build a $10 billion electronics factory in Wisconsin and create 13,000 new jobs. —David Goldman, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024

Indeed, Japanese household spending has declined for three straight months as of October, while factory output has been volatile. —Lin Lin, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2024

Use the volume buttons to scroll to Wipe Data or Perform a factory reset, then press the power button to select it. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2024

Figure therefore joins Agility Robotics’ robot, Digit, as two of the only humanoid robotics companies on the planet to be putting their robots to work in paying clients’ warehouses and factories. —John Koetsier, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

fact(or) entry 1 + -ory entry 1; in sense 1 after Portuguese feitoria; in sense 2 perhaps short for manufactory

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing factory

• factory farm
• factory ship
• on the factory floor
• the factory floor
• think factory

Kids Definition

factory

noun

fac·​to·​ry ˈfak-t(ə-)rē 

plural factories

: a building or set of buildings equipped for manufacturing

Etymology

from early French factorie "a place where business is carried on," derived from Latin factor "one that does or makes," from factus, past participle of facere "to make, do" — related to fashion, manufacture