industrialized
in-DUS-tree-uh-laizd
/ɪnˈdʌstriəlaɪzd/
Having developed power-driven machinery, factories, and advanced technology on a wide scale.
Describes nations or regions that have transitioned from agrarian labor to high-output mechanical and technological manufacturing.
The story behind the word. Traces back to Latin 'industria', meaning active diligence or enterprise. In the late 18th century, as steam engines and mechanized looms transformed manufacturing in Great Britain, 'industrial' evolved from meaning 'hard-working' to describing large-scale machine manufacturing.
Word relationships
- developed: Developed is a broad term including services and living standards; industrialized specifically highlights manufacturing and technological capacity.
- advanced: Advanced emphasizes state-of-the-art systems, whereas industrialized stresses high factory output and infrastructure.
- agrarian: Agrarian describes economies based on farming land rather than manufacturing plants.
- pre-industrial: Pre-industrial describes economic systems prior to the invention of power machinery.
Commonly confused with
- industrious: Industrious means hard-working; industrialized means equipped with widespread factory production.
Word family
- industrialize (verb): To develop industry on a wide scale.
- industrialization (noun): The development of industries in a country or region.
Collocations
- industrialized nation
- industrialized economy
- highly industrialized
- industrialized world
Example sentences
- "Industrialized nations reached an accord to share technological innovations with developing countries." Global economics summit
- "Rapidly expanding factories turned the quiet coastal area into a highly industrialized zone." Environmental impact study
Memory hook
INDUSTRIALIZED = Equipped with heavy INDUSTRY and factories. Industrialized = Powered by factory machinery.
When not to use
Do not use for small artisan craft workshops or non-mechanized traditional farms.
Fun facts
- Great Britain was the first country to become fully industrialized during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Related words
Explore more words
industrialize, industrial, mechanize, industrious, manufacturing, technical
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