mechanism
noun
mech·a·nism
ˈme-kə-ˌni-zəm 
1
a
: a piece of machinery (see machinery sense 1)
The camera's shutter mechanism is broken.
b
: a process, technique, or system for achieving a result
the mechanisms of peace—
F. D. Roosevelt
F. D. Roosevelt2
: mechanical operation or action : working sense 2
he acknowledges nothing besides matter and motion; so that all must be performed either by mechanism or by accident—Richard Bentley
Richard Bentley3
: a doctrine that holds natural processes (as of life) to be mechanically determined and capable of complete explanation by the laws of physics and chemistry
4
: the fundamental processes involved in or responsible for an action, reaction, or other natural phenomenon
meteorologists believe that this pressure jump is the mechanism responsible for storms and tornadoes—Think
compare defense mechanism
ThinkExamples of mechanism in a Sentence
The camera's shutter mechanism is broken.
Scientists are studying the body's mechanisms for controlling weight.
There is no mechanism in place for enforcing the new law.
a legal mechanism to prevent lobbyists from exerting unfair influence
psychological mechanisms for dealing with a tragic loss
Recent Examples on the Web
Our belief is based on the putative mechanism of NV-387.
—Miami Herald, 4 June 2024
Under that mechanism, new property tax revenue that would normally go toward the coffers of the city, facing a $66 million budget deficit, is redirected toward helping the developer fund the project — paying for infrastructure such as roads, stormwater and sewer improvements.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 31 May 2024
The virus is constantly changing due to various natural mechanisms such as mutations, recombinations, and/or re-assortments that are native to the virus lifecycle.
—Kansas City Star, 29 May 2024
The stomp-rocket mechanism may not be unique to Kilauea and may have also occurred eruptions at other volcanoes around in the world, several of which have occurred in the past century, according to the study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 27 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mechanism 
Miami Herald, 4 June 2024
Under that mechanism, new property tax revenue that would normally go toward the coffers of the city, facing a $66 million budget deficit, is redirected toward helping the developer fund the project — paying for infrastructure such as roads, stormwater and sewer improvements.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 31 May 2024
The virus is constantly changing due to various natural mechanisms such as mutations, recombinations, and/or re-assortments that are native to the virus lifecycle.
—Kansas City Star, 29 May 2024
The stomp-rocket mechanism may not be unique to Kilauea and may have also occurred eruptions at other volcanoes around in the world, several of which have occurred in the past century, according to the study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 27 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mechanism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mechanism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mechanism
Cite this Entry
“Mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanism. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mechanism
noun
mech·a·nism
ˈmek-ə-ˌniz-əm
1
: a piece of machinery
2
a
: the parts by which a machine operates
b
: the process, way, or system for achieving a goal
the mechanism of government
3
: the processes involved in or responsible for a natural occurrence (as evolution or an action or reaction)
Medical Definition
mechanism
noun
mech·a·nism
ˈmek-ə-ˌniz-əm
1
: a piece of machinery
2
a
: a bodily process or function
the mechanism of healing
b
: the combination of mental processes by which a result is obtained
psychological mechanisms
3
: the fundamental physical or chemical processes involved in or responsible for an action, reaction, or other natural phenomenon
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