poka-yoke

noun

A methodology of using low-cost techniques to error-proof production processes.

OriginJapanese ポカヨケ →
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Meanings

nounpoka-yoke (uncountable)
  1. uncountableA methodology of using low-cost techniques to error-proof production processes.

    One of the central concepts of Lean practice in Toyota today is something called poka-yoke (fool-proofing).

    [2010, James Coplien, Gertrud Bjørnvig, “What the System Is, Part 2: Coding It Up”, in Lean Architecture for Agile Software Development, John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN, page 133
    1 more example

    Poka yoke emphasizes 100% inspections upstream for possible causes of defects, as well as rapid feedback and follow-up actions.

    2007, Bijay K. Jayaswal, Peter C. Patton, Design for Trustworthy Software […] , Prentice-Hall

Origin

  1. Japaneseポカヨケ
  2. Englishpoka-yoke

Borrowed from Japanese ポカヨケ (poka yoke), from ポカ (poka, “a blunder”) + よける (yokeru, “to dodge, avoid”).

More words from Japanese

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French poka-yoké
  • poka-yokéerror-proofing methodology
Cite this entry
APA

poka-yoke. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/poka-yoke

MLA

“poka-yoke.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/poka-yoke. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “poka-yoke,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/poka-yoke.

Source: poka-yoke on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.