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

Amnesty urged the UN General Assembly to "create an international criminal justice mechanism aimed at prosecuting those most implicated".

From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026

His improved health and hip flexibility opened up the avenue for him to return to that timing mechanism.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

A mechanism that requires data centre developers to match their projects, with new green generation capacity being commissioned, would be a neat way of mitigating the risks but that requires government or regulatory intervention.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

The other unknown is the mechanism by which Shingrix or other shingles vaccines may reduce the risk of heart disease.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

No one knows enough about Greek astronomers to be able to definitively identify the creator of the mechanism.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

His proposal discusses several possible mechanisms, including capability checkpoints, limits on computing power for AI training and restrictions on using AI to develop more advanced AI.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

"Traditional reporting mechanisms for public health are often delayed," she said.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026

"Brazil has regulations that have expanded and forced platforms to develop control and verification mechanisms," Paganotti said, adding that this contrasts with a dearth of legislation elsewhere in the region.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

“Songs and tunes, unmoored from formal commercial and legal mechanisms, give succeeding singers and players the freedom to reshape those pieces,” Mr. Wade writes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

In recent years there have been expansion and strengthening in new fields; biologic membranes, immunology, genetics, and cell regulatory mechanisms are currently booming.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Related Words

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