human error

American  

[hyoo-muhn er-er] / ˈhju 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

Nouns

• human errors
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

human error

In an attempt to eliminate human error, this great sport has introduced human error.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

Paakkarinen told La Repubblica newspaper that when the team found the bodies they realised the cause could have been a "tragic human error" but ultimately it would be for investigators to determine what happened.

From BBC ● May 22, 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

Although many people greeted the new forensic sciences with reverence, attributing to them a godlike power, they were often susceptible to human error.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann