3 syllables: In, dus, try. Stress on In.
IN-duh-stree
/ˈɪndəstɹi/
Industry is pronounced IN-duh-stree (/ˈɪndəstɹi/). It has three syllables (In-dus-try), with the stress on "In". Industry is a noun referring to a sector of the economy or a sustained, organized activity or workmanship. It also denotes diligence and steady effort, especially in business or manufacturing contexts. In common usage, it encompasses both the collective activities of production (e.g., technology industry) and the trait of industriousness in people.
nounIndustry is a noun referring to a sector of the economy or a sustained, organized activity or workmanship. It also denotes diligence and steady effort, especially in business or manufacturing contexts. In common usage, it encompasses both the collective activities of production (e.g., technology industry) and the trait of industriousness in people.
"The technology industry is driving rapid innovation."
"Her success came from years of hard industry and focus."
"Manufacturing industry faces challenges from supply chain disruptions."
Industry is pronounced /ˈɪn.də.stri/ in US, UK, and AU accents. Put primary stress on the first syllable: IN- (short i as in kit). The second syllable is unstressed: -də-. The final syllable sounds like -try with a long e sound: -stri. Be careful to avoid inserting a strong i in the second syllable; keep it quick and reduced: /ˈɪn.də.stri/.
Common mistakes include over-pronouncing the second syllable vowel (saying /ˈɪn.dæ.stri/ with an open a like in cat) and misplacing stress, trying to give emphasis to the -str- portion. Another frequent error is pronouncing a full, separate /i/ on the second syllable (like /ˈɪn.dɪˌstrij/). Correction: keep the second syllable reduced to /də/, and keep the final -ri as a light /ri/ or /ri/ with quick, unstressed sound. Practice with a connected speech approach: /ˈɪn.də.stri/.
US/UK/AU share the same core /ˈɪn.də.stri/ pronunciation, but you’ll hear subtle differences: US tends toward a slightly schwa-like /ə/ in the second syllable, UK remains crisper with /də/ and a shorter final /i/; Australian may have a slightly flatter overall vowel quality and faster syllable reduction in casual speech. Across all, the primary stress remains on the first syllable; non-rhoticity differences are minimal for this word, but connected speech can influence the exact vowel quality in rapid speech.
The difficulty lies in the sequence of three syllables with a strong initial stress and a reduced middle syllable. The /n/ blend with /d/ in /ˈɪn.də.stri/ can trip you up if you overemphasize the second syllable or fail to compress it. The final /stri/ includes a consonant cluster and a tense final vowel; keeping the /i/ short and the /r/ lightly pronounced helps avoid a drawn-out ending. Practice with controlled tempo to anchor the rhythm.
A field-specific nuance is the linking tendency in rapid speech: when followed by a vowel-heavy word, you may hear /ˈɪn.də.střɪ/ or a subtle glide into the next word. Remember to keep the middle syllable reduced: /ˈɪn.də.stri/ rather than full /ˈɪn.də.striː/. IPA reminder: US/UK/AU share /ˈɪn.də.stri/ with small regional vowel quality shifts. The key is crisp, quick second syllable and a strong initial stress.
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Industry comes from the Latin industria, from intensifier from indo, meaning diligence or activity, based on the root root stud- in Greek and Latin connotations of diligence and effort. The word passed into Old French as industrie before entering English in the late Middle Ages. Initially, industrie carried the broader sense of activity, diligence, or busy-ness; by the 16th century, it narrowed to denote productive economic activity, especially organized production in commerce and crafts. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the word strengthened its association with manufacturing sectors, factories, and trades, mirroring the rise of industrialization in Europe and America. The term is frequently coupled with adjectives like “industrial,” and phrases such as “the textile industry” or “the music industry,” reflecting its role as a classifier for organized sectors within the economy. The concept also broadened metaphorically to denote a person’s persistent, energetic effort (“a man of industry”). First known uses in English appear in late medieval texts, with analogues in earlier Latin and French that referenced labor and productive art. The word’s evolution tracks economic development: from general activity to a specific, organized sector highlighted by mass production, trade, and technological advancement. Today, “industry” remains a central classifier in economics and business discourse.
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Words that rhyme with "Industry"
-ndy sounds
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