Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » cottage industry

cottage industry

The definition of a cottage industry is a manufacturing activity operated at home.

(noun)

The handcrafts sold on Etsy.com are an example of a cottage industry.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See cottage industry in Webster's New World College Dictionary

  1. a manufacturing activity carried on, as in the early part of the Industrial Revolution, by farming out work to be done in the workers' homes
  2. any relatively small-scale business operation carried on as from the home

See cottage industry in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A usually small-scale industry carried on at home by family members using their own equipment.
  2. A small, loosely organized, yet flourishing complex of activity or industry: “The study of Gandhi has become a virtual cottage industry in the last 30 years, producing schools, museums, foundations and more than 400 biographies” (Jean Strouse).

Learn more about cottage industry

cottage industry business definition

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD

Also Mentioned In

framing

pram

tepid

Browse entries near cottage industry

cotquean

Cotswold Hills

Cotswold

cottage cheese

cottage fries

cottage pudding

cottage tulip

cottager

cottage

cotta

About YourDictionary Advertisers Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Bookmark Site Help Suggestion Box Tools
© 1996-2013 LoveToKnow, Corp. All Rights Reserved. Audio pronunciation provided by LoveToKnow, Corp.
About YourDictionary Advertisers Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Help
© 1996-2013 LoveToKnow, Corp. All Rights Reserved. Audio pronunciation provided by LoveToKnow, Corp.