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

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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

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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

After identifying the molecular mechanism, Wu investigated whether changing the amount of arginine in an animal's diet could influence disease outcomes.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 15, 2026

I reported earlier this week a mechanism by which the Glazer family could take back control of the football operation from Ratcliffe.

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026

Stripe has a separate mechanism for AI bots, which can be used for Chase cards and other issuers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 13, 2026

The old two-track Portal Bridge, which runs low across the Hackensack River, has a mechanism that disconnects and rotates part of the bridge to let ships pass by.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 12, 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

The study explored funding this amount through such mechanisms as bond sales, assessments and reinsurance, which is acquired by insurers typically from large international companies to cover catastrophes that could otherwise wipe them out.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2026

Responsible changes to benefits and funding mechanisms have been batted around for years.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 14, 2026

Similar mechanisms are known or suspected in other butterflies and moths.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 12, 2026

Although the condition has been recognized for years, scientists are still working to understand the specific thinking processes and brain mechanisms that contribute to it.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 12, 2026

Considering the tendency of nature to find uses for complex and intricate mechanisms, this seems to me unnatural.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

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Related Words

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

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