Engineering English
SKU
Industrial Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A stockkeeping unit (SKU) is a unique identifier for each distinct product and packaging variant in inventory. It enables precise tracking of stock levels and movements.
Example in context
“The warehouse system assigns a unique SKU to each product variant to streamline order picking and inventory control.”
“Depo sistemi, sipariş toplama ve envanter kontrolünü kolaylaştırmak için her ürün varyantına benzersiz bir SKU atar.”
Where engineers use it
SKUs are used throughout supply chain, from order entry to shipping. Engineers design SKU systems to optimize warehouse layout and automate data capture.
Synonyms: stockkeeping unit, stock code, item number
Practice: can you use “SKU” at work?
Your company is launching a new product with three color variants. Propose a SKU naming convention that supports future expansion and efficient bin location.
Show a model answer
“Please provide the SKU for that component so we can update the inventory database.”
“SKU” in 21 languages
| English | SKU |
|---|---|
| Turkish | SKU |
| French | SKU |
| German | SKU |
| Spanish | SKU |
| Chinese | SKU |
| Arabic | SKU |
| Portuguese | SKU |
| Russian | SKU |
| Japanese | SKU |
| Italian | SKU |
| Vietnamese | SKU |
| Hindi | SKU |
| Thai | SKU |
| Indonesian | SKU |
| Korean | SKU |
| Bengali | SKU |
| Dutch | SKU |
| Swedish | SKU |
| Finnish | SKU |
| Ukrainian | SKU |
Frequently asked questions
What does SKU mean in engineering?
A stockkeeping unit (SKU) is a unique identifier for each distinct product and packaging variant in inventory. It enables precise tracking of stock levels and movements. In Industrial Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce SKU?
SKU is pronounced /skjuː/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is SKU used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The warehouse system assigns a unique SKU to each product variant to streamline order picking and inventory control.”
This entry is one of 7,806 terms in the Engineering English iOS app — with quizzes, spaced repetition and pronunciation checking.
Get the app on the App Store