What does "ergonomics" mean?
The science of the design of equipment, especially so as to reduce operator fatigue, discomfort and injury.
Ergonomics
/ɜː.ɡəˈnɒ.mɪks/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The science of the design of equipment, especially so as to reduce operator fatigue, discomfort and injury.
- Grammar: ergonomics is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: human factors, bioengineering, biotechnology, human factors engineering.
- Useful contrasts: nonergonomic design, unergonomic design, unergonomic environment.
- Usage evidence: The study outlining the researcher’s findings has been published in the journal Ergonomics.
How to use "ergonomics"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "ergonomics" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "ergonomics" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "ergonomics" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
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- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "ergonomics" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "human factors" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The science of the design of equipment, especially so as to reduce operator fatigue, discomfort and injury. uncountable
"Ergonomics is increasingly important in office-product design."
- 2 the branch of engineering science in which biological science is used to study the relation between workers and their environments wordnet
- 3 Political economy. rare, uncountable
"As the titlepage of this latter portion of his work indicates, M. Courcelle Seneuil confines himself to political economy considered as a practical science, or, as he chooses to call it, to ergonomics."
Synonyms
All synonyms human factorsbioengineeringbiotechnologyhuman factors engineeringinstrument design attributework environment
Antonyms
nonergonomic designunergonomic designunergonomic environment
Example
"The study outlining the researcher’s findings has been published in the journal Ergonomics."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "ergonomics"?
Common synonyms include: human factors, bioengineering, biotechnology, human factors engineering, instrument design attribute, work environment.
How do you use "ergonomics" in a sentence?
The study outlining the researcher’s findings has been published in the journal Ergonomics.
How do you pronounce "ergonomics"?
Pronounced /ɜː.ɡəˈnɒ.mɪks/.
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.