human error

American  

[hyoo-muhn er-er] / ˈhyu mən ˈɛr ər /

noun

human errors plural

1. a mistake made by a human worker or the propensity of humans to make such mistakes, as opposed to the failure of mechanical or electronic systems or devices.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• human-error
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• human errors
  plural

Example Sentences

And that even in inherently risky mine environments, human error most often proves to be the fatal factor: management failure, flawed safety systems and flouted protocols.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

“I like the challenge system because you still have the human error element to the game,” Smith said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Once agents are allowed to take automated actions, which is what makes them so useful, it takes things out of the realm of human error.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

There was no fraud, just human error — which would soon be publicly confirmed through a hand count of the county’s ballots.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

“This is where human error creeps in,” Beryl says.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin