industrial revolution

noun

: a rapid major change in an economy (as in England in the late 18th century) marked by the general introduction of power-driven machinery or by an important change in the prevailing types and methods of use of such machines

Examples of industrial revolution in a Sentence

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The digital revolution rocked the analog world of art, media and communication on a scale the industrial revolution did to agrarian and handicraft economies more than a century ago. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 During the agricultural and industrial revolutions, bogs were an aberration. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 The data center, as central to this revolution as the rails were to the industrial revolution, has to be able to continue to grow. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 The industrial revolutions of the past produced enormous value alongside bankruptcies, dislocations, and periods of irrational exuberance. — Brian Solis, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for industrial revolution

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of industrial revolution was in 1840

Rhymes for industrial revolution

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Browse Nearby Words

industrial-revenue bond
industrial revolution
industrial school
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Cite this Entry

“Industrial revolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/industrial%20revolution. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

industrial revolution

noun
: a rapid major change in an economy (as in England in the late 18th century) marked by the general introduction of power-driven machinery

More from Merriam-Webster on industrial revolution

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about industrial revolution

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