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
Jordan, the track’s head starter, grabs a button in his right hand, the same sort of innocuous mechanism a Jeopardy contestant might use to buzz in.
—Dana O'Neil, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Systems Thinking at Scale Engineers are trained to interpret the world as a web of interdependent systems—intricate mechanisms where small misalignments can yield disproportionate impact.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Take note of your coping mechanisms that might be valuable to someone in hard times and creatively share them in community spaces.
—Sahmie S. Wytewa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
This is the first time, the mission team says, that this specific mechanism of zipping through space has been used on a probe beyond lunar orbit.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mechanism
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Dana O'Neil, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Systems Thinking at Scale Engineers are trained to interpret the world as a web of interdependent systems—intricate mechanisms where small misalignments can yield disproportionate impact.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Take note of your coping mechanisms that might be valuable to someone in hard times and creatively share them in community spaces.
—Sahmie S. Wytewa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
This is the first time, the mission team says, that this specific mechanism of zipping through space has been used on a probe beyond lunar orbit.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mechanism
Cite this Entry
“Mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanism. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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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