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

A spokesperson said: "In essence, we are strongly supportive of the goals of the scheme and of the underpinning principles of better bus travel. Our concern is around the mechanism proposed to achieve this."

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

The researchers then investigated the molecular mechanism behind these effects and found that pterostilbene significantly increased PPARδ signaling.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 5, 2026

It impels a creature who feels it to seek out much-needed water much more powerfully than any nonconscious mechanism could.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

The mechanism, introduced by the world's richest countries in 2020, is meant to help struggling nations cancel some of their debts under strict conditions.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

The housing code was rarely enforced, and its most important mechanism, the power of the city to correct code violations and bill landlords, was not once exercised by the city council, which oversaw housing issues.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Although the two studies focused on very different mechanisms, they point toward the same broader idea.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026

“Songs and tunes, unmoored from formal commercial and legal mechanisms, give succeeding singers and players the freedom to reshape those pieces,” Mr. Wade writes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 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

Khanal said the disaster underlined the "impetus and urgency" needed to build data-sharing mechanisms to help warn of future disasters, noting that neighbouring China had shared key data after the flood.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

De Caus in 1615 played with a very simple steam engine, and working steam engines require simple feedback mechanisms.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

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