mechanism

American  

[mek-uh-niz-uhm] / ˈmɛk əˌnɪz əm /

noun

• mechanisms
  plural

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.

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mechanism British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antimechanism
  noun
• mechanismic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• mechanisms
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mechanism

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

Explanation

Use the word mechanism to describe a process that has been set up to accomplish a particular goal. If you’ve set up a method for dealing with your sister when she annoys you, then you have a mechanism in place for establishing peace with your sister. The word mechanism came into the English language in the seventeenth century by way of the Latin word mechanismus, which traces back to the Greek word mekhane, meaning “device" or "means.” Mechanism still carries with it the meaning of “device” and can be used to describe a machine, but nowadays you are more likely to hear it used to describe a process for getting something done, such as "a mechanism for generating revenue" or "a crisis-resolution mechanism."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mechanism mechanisms

Until now, directly observing this proposed mechanism had proved difficult.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026

Now, researchers have identified an additional mechanism that had largely escaped attention: the electrical charge carried by water droplets.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026

Lamont was the U.K. chancellor who tried — unsuccessfully — to keep the U.K. in the European exchange-rate mechanism.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026

A parallel framework between the U.S. and Japan added pricing measures and financing for projects, offtake, stockpiling and a rapid-response mechanism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

The electric mechanism, within its compellingly authentic-style gray pelt, gurgled and blew bubbles, its vidlenses glassy, its metal jaws locked together.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

"Brazil has regulations that have expanded and forced platforms to develop control and verification mechanisms," Paganotti said, adding that this contrasts with a dearth of legislation elsewhere in the region.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

A number of prominent companies and individuals have called for new mechanisms that would allow AI labs and countries to slow down development in a coordinated way to buy time for alignment research.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Diabetes, obesity, and bipolar disorder frequently occur together and may share some underlying biological mechanisms.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 8, 2026

To become a genuine regional cable hub, she says, India needs "predictable regulation, open infrastructure and rapid repair mechanisms" - the kind of environment that has helped Singapore attract cables and data traffic.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

There, the moving rods silently turned other mechanisms in the shoulder and the neck.

From "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick

Related Words

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