mechanism

[mek-uh-niz-uhm]

noun

1. an assembly of moving parts performing a complete functional motion, often being part of a large machine; linkage.

2. the agency or means by which an effect is produced or a purpose is accomplished.

3. machinery or mechanical appliances in general.

4. the structure or arrangement of parts of a machine or similar device, or of anything analogous.

5. the mechanical part of something; any mechanical device.

   the mechanism of a clock.

6. routine methods or procedures; mechanics.

   the mechanism of government.

7. mechanical execution, as in painting or music; technique.

8. the theory that everything in the universe is produced by matter in motion; materialism.

9. Philosophy.

   1. the view that all natural processes are explicable in terms of classical mechanics.

   2. the view that all biological processes may be described in physicochemical terms.

10. Psychoanalysis.,  the habitual operation and interaction of psychological forces within an individual that assist in interpreting or dealing with the physical or psychological environment.

mechanism

/ ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. a system or structure of moving parts that performs some function, esp in a machine

2. something resembling a machine in the arrangement and working of its parts

   the mechanism of the ear

3. any form of mechanical device or any part of such a device

4. a process or technique, esp of execution

   the mechanism of novel writing

5. philosophy

   1. the doctrine that human action can be explained in purely physical terms, whether mechanical or biological

   2. the explanation of phenomena in causal rather than teleological or essentialist terms

   3. the view that the task of science is to seek such explanations

   4. strict determinism Compare dynamism vitalism

6. psychoanal

   1. the ways in which psychological forces interact and operate

   2. a structure having an influence on the behaviour of a person, such as a defence mechanism

Other Word Forms

• mechanismic adjective
• antimechanism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mechanism¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from New Latin mēchanismus; Late Latin mēchanisma “contrivance,” from Greek mēchan(ḗ) machine + New Latin -ismus, Late Latin -isma -ism

Example Sentences

A new study of the bizarre naked mole rat shows that the animals have evolved a DNA repair mechanism that could explain their longevity.

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Chelsea has, in the past, used long contracts as an accounting mechanism to amortize huge transfer fees over seven or eight years in the interest of keeping squad costs low.

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This mechanism, along with creative tax incentives, was replicated throughout the New Deal—jump-starting technical and financial innovation in consumer credit, rural electrification, aluminum mining and aerospace industry.

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It is a key part of the body’s built-in mechanism for healing injured tissue.

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Letting borrowers save on monthly payments, or tap equity in their homes, could become a key mechanism through which Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts feed through to support consumer spending.

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Related Words

• agency 
• operation 
• procedure 
• process 
• system 
• technique