industry
UK[ˈɪndəstri]US[ˈɪndəstri]
n
The production of goods from raw materials, especially in factories.
n
The people and activities involved in producing a particular thing, or in providing a particular service.
n
Hard work.
Etymology
The word 'industry' entered English in the late 15th century from Latin industria, meaning "diligence, hard work." This Latin term is derived from the adjective industrius ("diligent, active"), which itself is built on the older Latin verb indu- (a form of in, meaning "in") combined with the root struere ("to build, construct"). The core logic connects the idea of being actively engaged "in building" or constructing something to the qualities of diligence and purposeful activity. Over time, especially during the Industrial Revolution, the meaning shifted from the abstract quality of hard work to the systematic, large-scale "work" of manufacturing and production, giving us the modern economic sense.
Analysis
The word 'industry' is a simplex loanword from Latin. It does not contain separable, productive morphemes in modern English spelling that directly map to its meaning components.
Examples
The city's economy was once dominated by heavy industry.
She is a leading figure in the film industry.
He achieved his success through sheer talent and industry.