ergonomics

Meaning

1. (uncountable) The science of the design of equipment, especially so as to reduce operator fatigue, discomfort and injury.
2. (rare, uncountable) Political economy.

Synonyms

human engineering

biotechnology

human-factor engineering

bioengineering

human environment

human factors

human factor engineering

ergonomy

euthenics

ergonomic factors

Translations

ergonomie

Ergonomie

ergonomia

ergonomía

ergonomia

ergonomie

εργονομία

ergonomia

إرغونوميا

bioengenharia

ergonomi

Arbeitswissenschaften

Arbeitswissenschaft

ergonomischer Faktor

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əːɡəˈnɒmɪks/

Etymology

From ergo- (prefix indicating work) + -nomics (suffix indicating the rules of a discipline), probably modelled after Polish ergonomia (“ergonomics”) (used by Polish scientist Wojciech Jastrzębowski (1799–1882) in an 1857 article), from Ancient Greek ἔργον (érgon, “work”) + νόμος (nómos, “custom; law, ordinance”). The English word is widely regarded as having been introduced by British psychologist K. F. Hywel Murrell at a meeting at the Admiralty in London in July 1949, which led to the establishment of the Ergonomics Research Society (now The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors) on 17 September 1949.