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

The mechanism appears to contribute to muscle damage caused by statins and challenges earlier ideas about the origins of these side effects.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 1, 2026

First Secretary of State Louise Haigh told the BBC that there was not currently a mechanism in place for mayors to offer a rebate.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

The decree published on Friday immediately freezes her assets, citing a legal mechanism aimed at preventing the commission of "new acts of interference", the finance ministry said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026

But without a built-in funding mechanism, that realistically means that funding, if any, is year-by-year and unpredictable at best.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

When unloading oxygen, the same saddle-clasp mechanism loosens.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

ING’s CEO said there is demand not only from manufacturers of weapons or defense mechanisms, but also from drone companies, providers of cybersecurity technology and their supply chains.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

Their analysis focused on the biological mechanisms that might explain the group's worsening metabolic health.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

The discussions focused on "common principles and operational mechanisms" for ensuring the safe passage of shipping through the strait while respecting the sovereign rights of the two states, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

“I want to understand the mechanisms behind the brain biomarkers to see why it’s happening,” Shapses said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

They haven’t the oomph to escape Earth’s gravity and, even if they did, there are no mechanisms to guide them across tens of millions of miles of space.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

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