mechanics

American  

[muh-kan-iks] / məˈkæn ɪks /

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the branch of physics that deals with the action of forces on bodies and with motion, comprised of kinetics, statics, and kinematics.

2. (used with a singular verb) the theoretical and practical application of this science to machinery, mechanical appliances, etc.

3. (usually used with a plural verb) the technical aspect or working part; mechanism; structure.

4. (usually used with a plural verb) routine or basic methods, procedures, techniques, or details.

   the mechanics of running an office; the mechanics of baseball.

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mechanics British  

/ mɪˈkænɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the branch of science, divided into statics, dynamics, and kinematics, concerned with the equilibrium or motion of bodies in a particular frame of reference See also quantum mechanics wave mechanics statistical mechanics

2. (functioning as singular) the science of designing, constructing, and operating machines

3. the working parts of a machine

4. the technical aspects of something

   the mechanics of poetic style

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mechanics Scientific  

/ mĭ-kăn′ĭks /

1. The branch of physics concerned with the relationships between matter, force, and energy, especially as they affect the motion of objects.

2. See also classical physics quantum mechanics

3. The functional aspect of a system, such as the mechanics of blood circulation.

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mechanics Cultural  

1. The branch of physics that deals with the motion of material objects. The term mechanics generally refers to the motion of large objects, whereas the study of motion at the level of the atom or smaller is the domain of quantum mechanics.

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Discover More

The basic laws of mechanics are Newton's laws of motion.

Etymology

Origin of mechanics

First recorded in 1640–50; mechanic, -ics

Example Sentences

The complaint also states that during the 2024 offseason, DeLorenzo was “forced” to take part in “a low-level college clinic, involving different rules, different mechanics, and different philosophies as compared to the NFL.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Those experiences made clear how rapidly theoretical arguments about constitutional structure can reshape the mechanics of elections.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

There are now road builders, mechanics, stonemasons, and bakers, to name four.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

The same mechanics are largely at work in the stock market, as well, where a higher “risk free” rate, which is used to price the present value of future company profits, pushes equity prices lower.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Yelena replied that engineers weren’t allowed to refuel planes—the mechanics were supposed to do it.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein