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

He retained his seat in the House of Lords, as there was no mechanism to remove an errant peer.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

The mechanism aims to establish monitoring, inspections, maritime insurance and protocols to facilitate safe, orderly transit through the shipping lane.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

In that case, we later learned, the department wouldn’t be involved because state law doesn’t include any mechanism for oversight.

From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026

That could eventually make engineered vacuum fluctuations a useful new control mechanism for superconductors and other quantum materials.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 3, 2026

Nor could he search very long; the mechanism had almost failed.

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

The Citizenship by Investment Program announced by the government proposes two "simple and transparent mechanisms" for obtaining an Argentine passport.

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

The United Nations Command, which conducted the on-site investigations into the blasts with the South Korean military, said it would handle the violation of the 1953 armistice "through established Armistice mechanisms".

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

That could make it possible to target mechanisms that are easier to reach and better understood.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

His research examines how cells respond to oxidative stress and is helping reveal new mechanisms involved in blood pressure, heart function and vascular health.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

He brought Hugo back to the museum a few more times and explained how the mechanisms operated.

From "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick

Related Words

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