mechanism

noun

mech·​a·​nism ˈme-kə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce mechanism (audio)
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 peaceF. D. Roosevelt
2
: 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 accidentRichard Bentley
3
: 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 tornadoesThink
compare defense mechanism

Examples 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 Simply slide the metal piece in between the door frame and the locking mechanism, and this best-selling device will keep intruders out while remaining easy to remove from the inside in case of emergency. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024 Even if the hold were to be lifted or overridden, the U.N. mechanism designed to distribute the funds is not fully set up yet, one of the congressional aides noted. Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 Using the procedural mechanisms of the House, the lawmakers, called the House Freedom Caucus, became a thorn in the side of Republican speakers seeking to pass legislation through Congress, by pushing legislation that was often unlikely to clear the 60 vote threshold required in the Senate. Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 The hammers and gongs of the repeater mechanism on this timepiece, for the first time for the watchmaker, can be admired without actually having to remove the watch from the wrist. Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 And the mechanism used to count those votes also matters. Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 The electronic latch mechanism used to open the gate of certain 2020-2024 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra truck beds could short circuit if water enters the tailgate, leading to the gate opening, the automaker said. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2024 One mechanism for doing so is encouraging them to nominate heritage jointly. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024 First introduced in late 1989, the pump technology from Reebok allowed the wearer to pump air into the shoe’s sole via a mechanism housed in the tongue. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

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.

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of mechanism was in 1662

Dictionary Entries Near mechanism

Cite this Entry

“Mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mechanism

noun
mech·​a·​nism ˈmek-ə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce mechanism (audio)
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 How to pronounce mechanism (audio)
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
mechanistic adjective
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