factory

 
Pronunciation: /ˈfakt(ə)ri/

noun (plural factories)

  • 1a building or group of buildings where goods are manufactured or assembled chiefly by machine: a clothing factory [as modifier]: factory workers
  • [with modifier] a person or organization that continually produces a great quantity of something specified: the group have become a rock-and-roll hit factory
  • 2 historical an establishment for traders carrying on business in a foreign country: he is chaplain to the British factory at St Petersburg

Origin:

late 16th century (in factory (sense 2)): via Portuguese feitoria from medieval Latin factoria, from Latin factor (see factor). factory (sense 1) based on late Latin factorium, literally 'oil press'