manufacture

1 of 2

noun

man·​u·​fac·​ture ˌman-yə-ˈfak-chər 

ˌma-nə-

1

: something made from raw materials by hand or by machinery

imports most manufactures used by consumers

—D. L. Cohn

2

a

: the process of making wares by hand or by machinery especially when carried on systematically with division of labor

the manufacture of automobiles

b

: a productive industry using mechanical power and machinery

3

: the act or process of producing something

the manufacture of blood goes on constantly in the human body

—Morris Fishbein

manufacture

2 of 2

verb

manufactured; manufacturing ˌman-yə-ˈfak-chə-riŋ 

-ˈfak-shriŋ,

ˌma-nə-

transitive verb

1

: to make into a product suitable for use

2

a

: to make from raw materials by hand or by machinery

b

: to produce according to an organized plan and with division of labor

c

: prefabricate

a manufactured home

3

: invent, fabricate

known to manufacture evidence

4

: to produce as if by manufacturing : create

writers who manufacture stories for television

intransitive verb

: to engage in manufacture

manufacturability

ˌman-yə-ˌfak-chə-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

-ˌfak-shrə-ˈbi-

ˌma-nə-

noun

manufacturable

ˌman-yə-ˈfak-chə-rə-bəl 

-ˈfak-shrə-bəl

ˌma-nə-

adjective

manufacturing noun

Synonyms

Verb

• fabricate
• fashion
• form
• frame
• make
• produce

Examples of manufacture in a Sentence

Noun

materials used in the manufacture of cars

We're developing new methods of paper manufacture.

Verb

materials used in manufacturing cars

a company that manufactures wool and cotton clothing

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Petrochemicals, a vast and diverse category of compounds used as feedstock for plastic manufacture, are made from fossil fuels. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024

Mercury has been used in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda, in cement production, as a coolant in nuclear reactors, in fungicides, reagents, embalming, batteries, preservatives, antiseptics, and cosmetics. —Sallie Tisdale, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024

Verb

But Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, the manufacturing hub of Canada, said a trade war is 100% coming. —Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

From January 10 through 17, Ukraine struck 10 critical infrastructure sites with drones and missiles, including the Bryansk Chemical Plant, which produces gunpowder and ammunition, and manufactures parts for rockets and explosives. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle French, from Medieval Latin manufactura, from Latin manu factus, literally, made by hand

First Known Use

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing manufacture

• pre-manufacture

Kids Definition

manufacture

1 of 2 noun

man·​u·​fac·​ture ˌman-(y)ə-ˈfak-chər 

1

: something made from raw materials

2

: the making of products by hand or machinery

3

: production sense 2

the manufacture of blood in the body

manufacture

2 of 2 verb

manufactured; manufacturing

-ˈfak-chə-riŋ,

-ˈfak-shriŋ

1

: to make into a product suitable for use

manufacture wool

2

: to make from raw materials by hand or by machinery

3

: to make up sometimes with the intention of misleading

manufacturing noun

Etymology

Noun

from early French manufacture "something made," from Latin manufactus "made by hand," from earlier manu "by hand" (from manus "hand") and factus, past participle of facere "to make, do" — related to factory, fashion, manage, manual