cottage industry

Definition

A job or occupation carried out at home or on a part-time basis, historically often manufacturing work such as sewing, lacemaking, or spinning.

Example Sentences

• "Near-synonym: proto-industry"
• "A craft such as quilting may be pursued as a hobby or as a cottage industry."
• "Scotland and Ireland are famous for their tweeds and homespuns and what are known as the "cottage industries" have been recently revived in those countries as the products of their hand looms have become deservedly popular abroad."