mechanics

American  

[muh-kan-iks] / məˈkæn ɪks /

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the branch of physics that deals with the action of forces on bodies and with motion, comprised of kinetics, statics, and kinematics.

2. (used with a singular verb) the theoretical and practical application of this science to machinery, mechanical appliances, etc.

3. (usually used with a plural verb) the technical aspect or working part; mechanism; structure.

4. (usually used with a plural verb) routine or basic methods, procedures, techniques, or details.

   the mechanics of running an office; the mechanics of baseball.

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mechanics British  

/ mɪˈkænɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the branch of science, divided into statics, dynamics, and kinematics, concerned with the equilibrium or motion of bodies in a particular frame of reference See also quantum mechanics wave mechanics statistical mechanics

2. (functioning as singular) the science of designing, constructing, and operating machines

3. the working parts of a machine

4. the technical aspects of something

   the mechanics of poetic style

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mechanics Scientific  

/ mĭ-kăn′ĭks /

1. The branch of physics concerned with the relationships between matter, force, and energy, especially as they affect the motion of objects.

2. See also classical physics quantum mechanics

3. The functional aspect of a system, such as the mechanics of blood circulation.

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mechanics Cultural  

1. The branch of physics that deals with the motion of material objects. The term mechanics generally refers to the motion of large objects, whereas the study of motion at the level of the atom or smaller is the domain of quantum mechanics.

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Discover More

The basic laws of mechanics are Newton's laws of motion.

Etymology

Origin of mechanics

First recorded in 1640–50; mechanic, -ics

Example Sentences

Brunt Workwear sells footwear and clothes to tradespeople such as mechanics, builders and electricians.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ahmad, by contrast, has lived a life free of community and consequence, and for the first time engages in the mechanics of cause and effect.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, quantum processors harness the properties of quantum mechanics, which makes them best suited for complex modeling tasks.

From Barron's

About a third of Karman’s 23-person team came from SpaceX or Rocket Lab, and they co-opted technologies from aerospace engineering and electric vehicles to design the mechanics for the high-speed motors.

From Los Angeles Times

The oil-field service company is currently working through the mechanics required to reenter the country, which Miller expects to occur sooner rather than later.

From The Wall Street Journal