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

Its proposals include a pooled fund, technical assistance and shared promotion, alongside exploration of a new county-level arts funding mechanism.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

Powerful laser microscopy revealed the mechanism: after a day or two of contact, the corals' tissues began fusing, creating a "nutrient highway" between the pair.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

She also said the ophthalmology "capacity appears insufficient to meet the demand", adding that the absence of a national mechanism means those "requiring surveillance for ophthalmic conditions may experience prolonged delays".

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

The researchers believe this unexpected mechanism could guide the development of catalysts that interact more effectively with molecular hydrogen, potentially improving the chemical pathways responsible for producing methanol from CO2.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

He had originally proposed the concept in Hereditary Genius as early as 1869—thirty years before the rediscovery of Mendel—but left the idea unexplored, concentrating, instead, on the mechanism of heredity.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

We can be fairly certain that any cooperation between the museum and the film production came with the understanding that no actual security mechanisms would even be hinted at.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Identifying and potentially strengthening the biological mechanisms responsible for plaque removal could lead to better therapies.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

Replacing real consumption with digital simulation might sound unusual, but behavioral scientists say substitution mechanisms like this can help.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

That difference suggests Menin influences aging through several biological mechanisms, with D-serine accounting for only part of its effects.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

We do not understand human behavior well enough to be sure of the mechanisms underlying these relationships, although we can conjecture.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

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Related Words

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

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