mechanize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make mechanical.
-
to operate or perform by or as if by machinery.
-
to introduce machinery into (an industry, enterprise, etc.), especially in order to replace manual labor.
-
Military. to equip with tanks and other armored vehicles.
verb
-
to equip (a factory, industry, etc) with machinery
-
to make mechanical, automatic, or monotonous
-
to equip (an army, etc) with motorized or armoured vehicles
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
mechanizesimple
-
mechanizessimple
-
have mechanizedperfect
-
has mechanizedperfect
-
am mechanizingprogressive
-
are mechanizingprogressive
-
is mechanizingprogressive
-
have been mechanizingperfect progressive
-
has been mechanizingperfect progressive
Past
-
mechanizedsimple
-
had mechanizedperfect
-
was mechanizingprogressive
-
were mechanizingprogressive
-
had been mechanizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of mechanize
First recorded in 1695–1705; mechan(ic) + -ize
Explanation
When you use machines to streamline a process or job, you mechanize it. If you’re tired of pedaling uphill, mechanize your bike by putting a motor on it. Whenever someone uses automation or technology to do work that was previously done by humans, they mechanize that work. Throughout history, and especially since the Industrial Revolution, inventors have mechanized jobs that were once done by hand. Factories mechanize processes such as making glass bottles, once done more slowly and laboriously by glassblowers. Mechanize is rooted in the Greek mekhanikos, which means "inventive" or "pertaining to machines."
Vocabulary lists containing mechanize
Content Summary 5.3: The First Industrial Revolution
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Content Summary 6.1: Origins and Outcomes of World War I in Global Context
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Modern Period, c. 1750 to c. 1914
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
