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industrial-strength

industrial-strength

4 5.8
Very strong and made for heavy use in factories, not for regular home use
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈdʌstriəl strɛŋkθ/
translation icon : de grado industrial
  • No, it had recently been cleaned with a strong industrial-strength cleaning solution.
  • industrial-strength cleaner
  • industrial-strength mixer
  • industrial-strength dryer

So this is like my take on like industrial strength foundation with a Dewey look.

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Examples

  • I call it Police Headquarters because on any given morning you can find at least seven or eight cops at the counter mopping up their eggs with dry toast and washing them down with around five cups of industrial-strength Folgers.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The compound is essentially the same as industrial-strength bleach.

    Blog text (15)
  • I apply new industrial strength deodorant every few hours.

  • At the office, over a second cup of industrial-strength coffee, I reviewed my options.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The industrial-strength dance mats are expensive.

    Academic text (2007)
  • "I've got them fixed up with some industrial-strength cleaner."

    Fiction book (1990)
  • In most places, this thing would be nailed down with industrial-strength screws.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Middlesbrough used to be a haven of England's industrial strength, a factory town that provided jobs for thousands and thousands of blue-collar workers.

    Blog text (12)
  • It was a relief not to be assaulted by industrial-strength odors at every turn.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The restaurant uses industrial-strength cleaners to keep their kitchen spotless.

Synonyms

strong
vsindustrial-strength
1.0

Very concentrated in taste or effect

is far more concentrated and made for heavy or commercial use than household versions
industrial
vsindustrial-strength
71 3.5

Made strong for heavy use in factories and shops

is much more concentrated and stronger than normal household versions
weapons-grade
vsindustrial-strength
  • Informal
1 7.8

Being extremely strong and concentrated, used to describe coffee or glue

is extremely strong but stresses heavy commercial use rather than dangerous potency

How Strong

industrial-strength
4 5.8
heavy-duty
23 3.9
light-duty
3 4.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

industrial-strength = industrial + strength (transparent) = industrial + strength

The meaning ('as strong as used in industry / very strong or concentrated') is directly inferable from 'industrial' + 'strength' for most learners.

Etymology

Industrial-strength comes from industrial (from 'industry', meaning 'work in factories') and strength ('power' or 'being strong'), giving the idea of something made for heavy, factory use. So, something called industrial-strength is much more powerful or durable than a normal household product and meant for very hard jobs.