deindustrialization

noun

de·​in·​dus·​tri·​al·​i·​za·​tion (ˌ)dē-in-ˌdə-strē-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce deindustrialization (audio)
: the reduction or destruction of a nation's or region's industrial capacity
deindustrialize
(ˌ)dē-in-ˈdə-strē-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce deindustrialization (audio)
verb

Examples of deindustrialization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pointing towards the policies of the Conservative government under Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, Burnham criticized deindustrialization and the privatization of many public services. — Callum Sutherland, Time, 17 July 2026 Decades of California commissions, from the 1960s to the present, predicted large-scale job loss due to automation or deindustrialization, only for the economy to rebound in unforeseen ways, often creating more jobs. — Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 That’s the central dilemma now facing policymakers in the US and Europe, struggling to respond to a deluge of Chinese technology exports that threaten rapid deindustrialization. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 23 June 2026 After years of deindustrialization and socioeconomic problems, Detroit saw a massive drop in population. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for deindustrialization

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deindustrialization was in 1940

Rhymes for deindustrialization

See All Rhymes for deindustrialization

Browse Nearby Words

deindividualize
deindustrialization
Deinocephalia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deindustrialization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deindustrialization. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All