factory

[ fak-tuh-ree, -tree ]
See synonyms for: factoryfactories on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural fac·to·ries.
  1. a building or group of buildings with facilities for the manufacture of goods.

  2. any place producing a uniform product, without concern for individuality: They call it a law school, but it's just a degree factory.

  1. (formerly) an establishment for factors and merchants carrying on business in a foreign country.

Origin of factory

1
From the Medieval Latin word factōria, dating back to 1550–60. See factor, -y3

Other words from factory

  • fac·to·ry·like, adjective
  • sub·fac·to·ry, noun, plural sub·fac·to·ries.

Words Nearby factory

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use factory in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for factory

factory

/ (ˈfæktərɪ) /


nounplural -ries
    • a building or group of buildings containing a plant assembly for the manufacture of goods

    • (as modifier): a factory worker

  1. rare a trading station maintained by factors in a foreign country

  1. Canadian (formerly) a main trading station for the exchange and transshipment of furs

Origin of factory

1
C16: from Late Latin factorium; see factor

Derived forms of factory

  • factory-like, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012