industrial

UK: ɪnˈdʌstriəl | US: ɪnˈdʌstriəl

Definition
  1. adj. relating to industry or the production of goods

  2. adj. characterized by highly developed industries

  3. adj. (of a society or economy) focusing on large-scale manufacturing and technology

Structure
industr <industry>ial <adjective suffix>
Etymology

industrial = industr<industry> + ial<adjective suffix>

  • industr: Derived from Latin industria ("diligence, activity"), from industrius ("diligent"). Evolved to mean systematic production (18th century).
  • ial: Adjective-forming suffix from Latin -ialis, indicating relation (e.g., "spatial," "commercial").

Etymology Origin:
The word traces to Latin industria, initially denoting diligence, then shifting to systematic labor (e.g., opus industriale for crafted work). By the Industrial Revolution (1760–1840), "industry" narrowed to mechanized production, and "industrial" emerged to describe economies and technologies tied to factories. The suffix -ial systematically extends nouns into adjectives (e.g., "industrial revolution").

Examples
  1. The city’s economy became heavily industrial in the 19th century.

  2. Industrial waste must be disposed of responsibly.

  3. Automation transformed industrial production.

  4. She studies industrial design at university.

  5. The government invested in industrial infrastructure.