'productivity' originates from the Latin word 'productivus,' where 'pro-' meant 'forward' and 'ducere' meant 'to lead.'

'productivus' transformed into the French word 'productivité,' and eventually became the modern English word 'productivity' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'the ability to produce,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the effectiveness of productive effort.'