A manufacturing plant characterized by extremely low wages and substandard (or outright dangerous) working conditions. The employees are often women and children. If you live in the third world, there's probably one in your vicinity. If you live in the US, there's one just a drive away - not as bad as one in Honduras, but still a sweatshop. You are awash in items produced in sweatshops; you're probably wearing some. To avoid shame (and thought), some of us blame "liberals". See: sweat shop.