factory
UK: ˈfæk.tər.i | US: ˈfæk.tɔːr.i
n. a building or set of buildings where goods are manufactured or assembled
n. (historical) a trading settlement established by merchants in a foreign land
n. (figurative) a place producing a large quantity of something (e.g., "a dream factory")
The word "factory" traces back to Latin factorium (workshop), combining facere (to make) and -orium (place suffix). Originally used for trading posts (16th c.), it evolved to mean manufacturing sites during the Industrial Revolution, reflecting its root in systematic production.
The car factory employs over 2,000 workers.
In the 18th century, European factories were established along coastal trade routes.
Silicon Valley is often called a "startup factory."
The chocolate factory uses sustainable cocoa sources.
Pollution from the chemical factory affected nearby rivers.