factory

Pronunciation: /ˈfæk.tɚ.i/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing

Etymology

Probably from factor + -y, although in noun sense 1 (“a place where manufacturing takes place”) apparently influenced strongly by association with Classical Latin fact-, the past participial stem of faciō (“to make”); compare manufactory and Latin factōrium (“an oil press”). In noun sense 8 (“a trading establishment”), originally after Portuguese feitoria. In noun sense 9 (“an invoice or inventory”), probably after obsolete Dutch facture (“bill”); see facture. Compare Dutch factorij, Middle French factorie, Spanish factoría.

In classic literature

Synonyms

mill, manufacturing plant, manufactory

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
plant
Narrower (hyponyms)
sweatshop, cannery, paper mill, automobile factory, textile mill, assembly plant

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