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 researchers also observed the same leakage pattern across multiple species of diatoms, suggesting that this mechanism is likely widespread throughout the world's oceans.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

Death imagery as a bulwark against fear of death is so well known that it is covered under the psychological umbrella of Terror Management Theory as a coping mechanism.

From Slate ● Jul. 10, 2026

“Had there been a basic level of trust between the parties or an agreed mechanism for resolving disputes, these interpretive gaps could have been managed,” Zimmt said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

“The primary mechanism by which the war in Iran has contributed to inflation, and thereby higher interest rates, is through the price of oil, which has jumped this week,” Berner said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026

If you look at a clock or a watch from the outside you can tell that there is a mechanism which turns the hands.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

"This challenges the dogma that calorie reduction is necessary to lose weight, but it also tells us that we need to have clear understanding of the mechanisms," he said.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026

It is one of the few public accountability mechanisms that the Fed participates in where the focus is mostly on monetary policy.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026

To be honest, I wish I hadn’t developed so many coping mechanisms to offset my shyness.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

Since then, state leaders have established oversight mechanisms through laws that allow for monitoring and investigation of detention centers by the California Department of Justice and local health authorities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

“We never used to need these things,” Miig commented as we wound the mechanisms and checked they were synchronized.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

Related Words

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