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

That result pointed to the TRPV4 channel as the mechanism through which vanillin was affecting the cells.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 28, 2026

Margin growth of 30 bps in Australia beat consensus, despite the impact of a new funding mechanism affecting its Joondalup public campus in the west.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

“Sweating is the most powerful mechanism our body has at its disposal to cool us down,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

In a joint statement after five days of talks in Switzerland, they said they had pledged to "pursue negotiations towards comprehensive peace and conflict resolution" and set up a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026

Styx brought up a fishing pole and studied the winding mechanism.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon

"Simply continuing to... maintain commercial channels and provide alternative payment mechanisms can substantially reduce the effectiveness of economic isolation," said Lezhava.

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

The Federal Aviation Administration is also seeking input from the space industry on funding mechanisms for new spaceports and the “potential utility” of public-private partnerships.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026

The new rules, which take effect on 1 January 2027, mean new car designs without physical release mechanisms on the inside and outside of their doors cannot be sold.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

Sensation has identifiable sensory mechanisms, and action has identifiable motor mechanisms.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 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

Related Words

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