The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
n. An economic and social system based on the development of large-scale industries and marked by the production of large quantities of inexpensive manufactured goods and the concentration of employment in urban factories.
n. The socio-economic system based upon the industrial production of manufactured goods, rather than on agriculture.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. Devotion to industrial pursuits; labor; industry.
n. The principles or policy applicable to industrial pursuits or organized labor.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. Devotion to industrial pursuits and interests; predominance of industrial interests or activity; also, the characteristics of industrial life, especially of the manufacturing industry.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. an economic system built on large industries rather than on agriculture or craftsmanship
Word Usage
"But in any case, though the ugliness of industrialism is the most obvious thing about it and the thing every newcomer exclaims against, I doubt whether it is centrally important."