industrialization
This term describes a systemic shift in production, moving from manual labor and artisanal craft toward mechanized, large-scale manufacturing. It carries a strong connotation of modernization, urban growth, and the restructuring of social hierarchies, often evoking images of factories, steam power, and the rise of the working class. In a broader sense, the word is used to describe the application of industrial logic to non-industrial fields, such as agriculture or healthcare. This usage often implies a trade-off where increased efficiency and output are gained at the expense of traditional methods or organic quality.
Meanings
The process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of goods.
"The rapid industrialization of the region led to a massive migration of workers from rural farms to urban centers."