mechanic

1 of 2

adjective

me·​chan·​ic mi-ˈka-nik 

1

: of or relating to manual work or skill

2

: mechanical sense 3a

mechanic

2 of 2

noun

1

: a manual worker : artisan

2

: machinist

especially : one who repairs machines

Synonyms of mechanic

Adjective

• mechanical
• automatic
• robotic
• reflex
• spontaneous

Examples of mechanic in a Sentence

Adjective

the snapping of the handcuffs was followed by a mechanic reading of the suspect's rights

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Parched fields force hydroponic growers, vegetable farmers and fruit producers to halt harvests, sell off underfed livestock at rock-bottom prices and even return to mechanic jobs to survive. — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

There are exceptions and one is Hig (Elordi), who before the virus hit was a mechanic living a good life with his pregnant wife and new puppy. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Noun

Although the problem’s framing might sound silly, the underlying mechanics have deep connections to group theory, knot theory, graph theory, and other areas of mathematics. — Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2026

Those hoping for some inside dirt on the Gallaghers’ famous feud, or about the mechanics that brought them back together after a 15-year estrangement, will not be satisfied. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English mechanique, mekanyk, borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French mecanique, mechanique, going back to Old French, borrowed from Medieval Latin mēchanicus, going back to Latin, "of machines or engineering, mechanical," borrowed from Greek mēchanikós "resourceful, inventive, (of medical devices or siege apparatus) mechanical," from mēchanḗ "device, contrivance, siege engine" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at machine entry 1

Noun

borrowed from Middle French mechanique, mecanique, going back to Old French, borrowed from Medieval Latin mēchanicus, noun derivative of mēchanicus "relating to manual work or skill" — more at mechanic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mechanic

• botanic
• brahmanic
• britannic
• galvanic
• germanic
• hispanic
• koranic
• organic
• puranic
• quranic
• romanic
• satanic

Kids Definition

mechanic

1 of 2 adjective

me·​chan·​ic mi-ˈkan-ik 

: of or relating to work performed by hand or skill at such work

mechanic arts

mechanic

2 of 2 noun

: a person who works with his or her hands

especially : a repairer of machines