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

The compound has not yet been isolated or chemically identified, so its exact nature and mechanism remain unknown.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2026

WSJ | Buy Side: This sleek, refillable lighter combines classy design and a clever lighting mechanism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

It promoted ACOT1's destruction through the ubiquitin‒proteasome system, a cellular mechanism that marks proteins for removal and breaks them down.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026

"Understanding this mechanism could help researchers design and optimize future RNA-based therapeutics and vaccines by better understanding how cells respond to large amounts of RNA," Yang said.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026

This struggle against error brought into being the footnote: the mechanism for ensuring that every fact could be traced to an authorizing statement.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

The trading arrangements Soglayev entered into show the convoluted mechanisms that have kept Russian oil flowing beyond the gaze of Western officials.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

A United Nations report published last year said that the Houthis possess advanced surveillance mechanisms and technology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

This process reduced the activity of several downstream mechanisms associated with inflammation and abnormal cell behavior.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026

The ability to watch cells gradually become younger could be particularly valuable for scientists trying to understand the mechanisms that control biological aging.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026

This phenomenon was exciting for researchers trying to understand the mechanisms of cancer, because it suggested that they might be able to study the moment a normal cell becomes malignant.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

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Related Words

• agency
• operation
• procedure
• process
• system
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