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; see origin at mechanic, -ics

Explanation

Mechanics is the science of things in motion. If you're a physicist and your specialty is mechanics, you most likely study the way physical bodies are affected by forces and how they affect their environment. Mechanics is one branch of physics — and some mathematicians are also focused on mechanics. You can divide this field of study into classical mechanics and quantum mechanics, but in either case it involves the study of motion and the forces that cause or result from motion. You can also use the noun mechanics when you talk about the inner workings or details of something, like the mechanics of baseball or the mechanics of the banking industry.

Example Sentences

Mechanics must be certified to work safely around that high-voltage battery, and must have the know-how to deal with the complexity of these new computers on wheels, she adds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

“The skeleton was once a strongly built man over 40 years old, likely around 5’9” in height,” another expert testified, per Popular Mechanics.

From Slate • Jul. 26, 2025

The larger of two sculptures, “Homme,” was the seventh and only unsold work in Winn’s Quantum Mechanics series, which explores philosophical concepts, universal truths and tries to answer the enduring question: why are we here?

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2025

Cirque Mechanics, a troupe with a giddy steampunk aesthetic, has produced five previous shows at the New Victory.

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2024

A year since he held that water-stained copy of The Principles of Mechanics.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr