What does industrialised mean?
Industrialised is an adjective meaning developed through industry, particularly large-scale manufacturing and modern production. It is most often used to describe a country, region, city, economy, or society that has undergone substantial industrial development. The word can also indicate that a place, building, or process has been converted for industrial use. In historical and political writing, industrialised often carries a broader connotation of economic transformation, technological development, and the restructuring of everyday life. The spelling is standard in British English, while American English normally uses the form industrialized. The adjective is closely related to the verb industrialize and the noun industrialization, which describe the process by which a society or economy develops industrial production. The word is especially useful when discussing the shift from agricultural or pre-industrial economies to modern manufacturing-based ones.
adjectiveCharacterized by the development of industry, especially large-scale manufacturing and modern production. It can also mean made suitable for or employed in industrial use.
- Having undergone industrialization and developed modern industrial production.
- Relating to or characteristic of an industrialised society, economy, or system.
- Converted or adapted for industrial use.
"The industrialised region has benefited from sustained investment in manufacturing and transport."
"The government invested heavily in roads and power plants to support the newly industrialised economy."
"The old mill was industrialised in the nineteenth century before being converted into apartments."
An industrialised society is not merely one that makes things; it is one whose economy, cities, and daily life have been transformed by industry.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does industrialised come from?
The word comes from the verb industrialize, formed from industrial, which in turn derives from Latin industria, meaning diligence or industry. The development of the word reflects the historical spread of factories, mechanized production, and large-scale manufacturing. Its cognates include industry, industrial, industrialism, and industrious, although the latter originally conveyed the idea of diligence rather than modern industrial production.
Related word forms
How industrialised is actually used
This is the usual British spelling; US English generally uses "industrialized." The term is especially common in historical, economic, and political contexts and often carries the implication of large-scale manufacturing and rapid economic development.
Easily confused with industrialised
"Industrialised" describes a place or system that has undergone industrial development, whereas "industrial" more broadly relates to industry or industrial use.
"Industrialised" describes the development of industry, while "industrious" describes a person who is hardworking and diligent.