a city in the USA, in Kentucky. Population, 361,500 (1970); 827,000 including suburbs.
Louisville is a port on the Ohio River and a large commercial, industrial, and transportation center at the junction of the North and South. There were 115,000 people employed in industry in 1970. The chief branches of industry are tobacco, distilling (whiskey), electrical engineering, synthetic rubber, and plastic. Slaughter houses and meat packing, automobile parts plants, mills, and agricultural machinery and furniture manufacturers are also found in the city. Louisville is a major market for tobacco and Thoroughbred horses (it is famous for its horse races). The University of Louisville is located there. The city was founded in the 18th century.