Taylorism

noun

Tay·​lor·​ism ˈtā-lər-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce Taylorism (audio)
: a factory management system developed in the late 19th century to increase efficiency by evaluating every step in a manufacturing process and breaking down production into specialized repetitive tasks

Word History

Etymology

Frederick W. Taylor †1915 American engineer

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Taylorism was in 1928

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Cite this Entry

“Taylorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Taylorism. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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