ergonomics
er-guh-NOM-iks
/ˌɜːr.ɡəˈnɑː.mɪks/
The study of people's efficiency and comfort in their working environment, or the design of equipment to increase efficiency and reduce discomfort.
Focuses specifically on the physical and cognitive alignment between human biology and tool/workplace design.
The story behind the word. Coined by Polish scientist Wojciech Jastrzębowski in 1857 from Greek 'ergon' (work) and 'nomos' (natural law). Re-introduced into modern English in 1949 by British psychologist Hywel Murrell to describe military workspace optimization.
Word relationships
- human factors engineering: Human factors engineering is a broader engineering discipline incorporating psychological and safety design.
- maladaptation: Maladaptation implies improper or awkward physical adjustment to an environment.
Commonly confused with
- economics: Economics is the study of financial wealth and resources, while ergonomics is the study of physical efficiency in design.
Word family
- ergonomic (adjective): Designed for comfort, efficiency, and safety in the working environment.
- ergonomically (adverb): In a way that relates to ergonomics.
Collocations
- office ergonomics
- ergonomics assessment
- workplace ergonomics
- poor ergonomics
Example sentences
- "The company hired an occupational health specialist to audit office ergonomics and reduce repetitive strain injuries among keyboard operators." Workplace Health Audits
- "Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system." Academic Research (International Ergonomics Association Definition (2000))
Memory hook
ERG (energy/work) + NOMICS (laws) = laws of how humans work efficiently. Laws of comfortable work.
When not to use
Do not use to describe general decor or aesthetic room styling.
Fun facts
- The first modern ergonomic chairs were designed in the late 1960s to reduce lumbar pressure for industrial control-room staff.
Related words
Explore more words
ergonomic, anthropometric, clearance, usability, efficiency, morphology
Also appears in
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