Production is the process of making or creating something, especially in large quantities or through organized effort. When a factory is in production, workers and machines are actively manufacturing cars, toys, computers, or whatever that factory makes. A farm's production might be measured in bushels of wheat or gallons of milk.

In business, production means transforming raw materials into finished products people can use. A bakery's production turns flour, eggs, and sugar into bread and pastries. An auto plant's production line assembles thousands of parts into complete vehicles. Companies track their production capacity: how much they can make in a day, week, or year.

The word also applies to creative work. A movie production involves hundreds of people working together: actors, directors, camera operators, costume designers, and sound engineers all collaborating to create the film. A theater production of Annie requires rehearsals, set building, and costume preparation before opening night. When something goes into production, it moves from the planning stage to actually being made. When something is out of production, the company no longer manufactures it.

You might hear someone say a project is “in production,” meaning active work is happening right now. High production values in a video or show mean it looks and sounds professional, with careful attention to quality.