industrial arts

Noun

industrial arts pl (plural only)

1. (plural, plural-only) The practical arts, such as engineering, metalworking or carpentry.
   • Holonym: technology
   • Near-synonym: trades

   Synonyms:

   trades

2. (plural, plural-only) The academic discipline, or subject area, teaching the knowledge and skills needed to work with tools and machinery.
   • The high school curriculum of the era included industrial arts, home economics, business administration, fine arts, music, physical education, and intramural and extramural sports, all on top of the three Rs.