Meaning & use
strategic industry
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablebusinessspecialist
An industry that a country considers very important for its economy or security, often protected or supported by the government.
Grammar: Countable: one strategic industry, several strategic industries.
Patterns
- a strategic industry
- protect strategic industries
- invest in strategic industries
The government treats energy as a strategic industry and keeps tight control over it.
Semiconductors are seen as a strategic industry because they are vital for technology and defense.
Many countries offer tax breaks to strategic industries to keep them competitive.
Word forms
| plural | strategic industries |
|---|
Common combinations
- key strategic industry
- Aerospace is a key strategic industry for national security.
- protect a strategic industry
- Tariffs are often used to protect a strategic industry from foreign competition.
- strategic industry policy
- The new strategic industry policy focuses on renewable energy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- key industry
- Similar, but 'key industry' emphasizes importance to the economy, while 'strategic industry' often implies national security or long-term planning.
- critical industry
- Often used for industries essential for safety or survival, such as water or electricity; 'strategic' is broader and includes economic planning.
Word family
Practice
Which phrase best describes a 'strategic industry'?
Choose one answer.
A strategic industry is one that a country sees as vital for its economy or security. The other options do not match this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “strategic industry”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.