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ergonomics

[ur-guh-nom-iks]
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noun (used with a singular or plural verb)
  1. human engineering.
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Origin of ergonomics

1945–50; ergo-1 + -nomics (see -nomy, -ics) on the model of agronomics, bionomics, etc.
Related formser·go·nom·ic, er·go·no·met·ric [ur-guh-nuh-me-trik] /ˌɜr gə nəˈmɛ trɪk/, adjectiveer·go·nom·i·cal·ly, adverber·gon·o·mist [ur-gon-uh-mist] /ɜrˈgɒn ə mɪst/, noun

Usage note

See -ics.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ergonomic

Historical Examples

  • Two of them -- Severe Haircut woman and utility belt man -- looked at me from their ergonomic super-chairs.

    Little Brother

    Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for ergonomic

ergonomic

adjective
  1. of or relating to ergonomics
  2. designed to minimize physical effort and discomfort, and hence maximize efficiency
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ergonomics

noun
  1. (functioning as singular) the study of the relationship between workers and their environment, esp the equipment they useAlso called: biotechnology
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Derived Formsergonomist (ɜːˈɡɒnəmɪst), noun

Word Origin

C20: from Greek ergon work + (eco) nomics
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ergonomic

ergonomics

n.

"scientific study of the efficiency of people in the workplace," coined 1950 from Greek ergon "work" (see urge (v.)) + second element of economics.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
ergonomic in Medicine

ergonomics

(ûr′gə-nŏm′ĭks)
n.
  1. The applied science of equipment design, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
ergonomic in Science

ergonomics

[ûr′gə-nŏm′ĭks]
  1. The scientific study of equipment design, as in office furniture or transportation seating, for the purpose of improving efficiency, comfort, or safety.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ergonomic in Culture

ergonomics

[(ur-guh-nom-iks)]

The technology concerned with the design, manufacture, and arrangement of products and environments to be safe, healthy, and comfortable for human beings.

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Note

The term is most often encountered in discussions of the design of furniture, tools, and other things built to be used by humans.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.