factory

noun

fac·​to·​ry ˈfak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce factory (audio)
plural factories
Synonyms of factorynext
1
: a building or set of buildings with facilities for manufacturing
a car factory
—often used before another noun
factory workers
a factory building
—often used figuratively
a college accused of being a diploma factory
2
archaic : a station where factors reside and trade
a colonial factory
factorylike
ˈfak-t(ə-)rē-ˌlīk How to pronounce factory (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of factory

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Before any cymbal leaves the factory, a shokunin strikes it and listens, comparing its sound against a pristine reference by ear. — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026 The Paris installation is only a small part of the project, however, since the glass factory is being rebuilt in spaces including Red Clay Studio in Tamale and a British-era colonial building. — Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Once synonymous with industry—Renault operated its enormous factory here for much of the 20th century—the island has been gradually reinventing itself as a cultural district. — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026 In Jersey City, Mana developed the arts venue Mana Contemporary out of old factory and warehouse space. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for factory

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of factory was in 1582

Phrases Containing factory

Rhymes for factory

See All Rhymes for factory

Browse Nearby Words

factor X
factory
factory committee
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Factory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/factory. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

factory

noun
fac·​to·​ry ˈfak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce factory (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on factory

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about factory

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All