Ergonomics

Ergonomics
The science of making things fit people instead of asking people to fit things. Ergonomics uses knowledge from anatomy, mechanics, physiology and psychology to utilize human energy most effectively. Something that is ergonomic is designed for safe, comfortable, and efficient use. For example, a computer keyboard with an ergonomic design is designed to help the user avoid the carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain. The word "ergonomics" was coined in 1949 by the British scientist K.F.H. Murrell who put it together from the Greek "ergon" (meaning "work") and "nomos" (meaning "law").
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A branch of ecology concerned with human factors in the design and operation of machines and the physical environment. [ergo- + G. nomos, law]

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er·go·nom·ics .ər-gə-'näm-iks n pl but sing or pl in constr an applied science concerned with the characteristics of people that need to be considered in designing things that they use in order that people and things will interact most effectively and safely called also human engineering, human factors engineering
er·go·nom·ic -ik adj
er·go·nom·i·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adv

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n.
the study of humans in relation to their work and working surroundings. This broad science involves the application of psychological as well as physiological principles to the design of buildings, machinery, vehicles, packaging, implements, and anything else with which people come into contact.

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er·go·nom·ics (ur″go-nomґiks) [ergo- + Gr. nomos law] the scientific study of humans and their work, including the anatomic, physiologic, psychologic, and mechanical principles affecting the efficient use of human energy.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Ergonomics — Ergonomics: the science of designing user interaction with equipment and workplaces to fit the user. Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities. The International …   Wikipedia

  • ergonomics — er‧go‧nom‧ics [ˌɜːgəˈnɒmɪks ǁ ˌɜːrgəˈnɑː ] noun [uncountable] the study of how the design of equipment affects how well people can do their work: • the ergonomics of computer keyboards ergonomic adjective : • a comfortable, ergonomic design… …   Financial and business terms

  • ergonomics — n. biological science applied to study the relation between workers and their environments. Syn: biotechnology, bioengineering. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ergonomics — scientific study of the efficiency of people in the workplace, coined 1950 from Gk. ergon work (see URGE (Cf. urge) (v.)) + (ec)onomics …   Etymology dictionary

  • ergonomics — [n] human engineering comfort design, functional design, human factors, user friendly systems, workplace efficiency; concept 349 …   New thesaurus

  • ergonomics — ► PLURAL NOUN (treated as sing. ) ▪ the study of people s efficiency in their working environment. ORIGIN from Greek ergon work , on the pattern of economics …   English terms dictionary

  • ergonomics — [ʉr΄gə näm′iks] n. [ ERG1 + (EC)ONOMICS] the study of the problems of people in adjusting to their environment; esp., the science that seeks to adapt work or working conditions to suit the worker pl.n. [with sing. or pl. v.] ergonomic factors or… …   English World dictionary

  • ergonomics — noun plural but singular or plural in construction Etymology: erg + nomics (as in economics) Date: 1949 1. an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • ergonomics — noun /ˌɜː.ɡəˈnɒm.ɪks/ The science of the design of equipment, especially so as to reduce operator fatigue, discomfort and injury. Ergonomics is increasingly important in office product design …   Wiktionary

  • ergonomics — er|go|nom|ics [ˌə:gəˈnɔmıks US ˌə:rgəˈna: ] n [U] [Date: 1900 2000; : Greek; Origin: ergon work + English omics (as in economics)] the way in which the careful design of equipment helps people to work better and more quickly ▪ We were very… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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