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factory

[ fak-tuh-ree, -tree ]
/ ˈfæk tə ri, -tri /
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See synonyms for: factory / factories on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural fac·to·ries.
a building or group of buildings with facilities for the manufacture of goods.
any place producing a uniform product, without concern for individuality: They call it a law school, but it's just a degree factory.
(formerly) an establishment for factors and merchants carrying on business in a foreign country.
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Origin of factory

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

OTHER WORDS FROM factory

fac·to·ry·like, adjectivesub·fac·to·ry, noun, plural sub·fac·to·ries.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use factory in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for factory

factory
/ (ˈfæktərɪ) /

noun plural -ries
  1. a building or group of buildings containing a plant assembly for the manufacture of goods
  2. (as modifier)a factory worker
rare a trading station maintained by factors in a foreign country
Canadian (formerly) a main trading station for the exchange and transshipment of furs

Derived forms of factory

factory-like, adjective

Word Origin for factory

C16: from Late Latin factorium; see factor
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
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