me·chan·i·cal
mi-ˈka-ni-kəl 
1
a(1)
: of or relating to machinery (see machinery sense 1) or tools
mechanical applications of science
a mechanical genius
mechanical aptitude
(2)
: produced or operated by a machine or tool
mechanical power
a mechanical refrigerator
a mechanical saw
b
: of or relating to manual operations
2
: of or relating to artisans (see artisan sense 1) or machinists
the mechanical trades
3
a
: done as if by machine : seemingly uninfluenced by the mind or emotions : automatic
busy in a leisurely mechanical way—
Douglas Stewart
Douglas Stewart
b
: of or relating to technicalities or petty matters
nor was any capacity shown for anything above a mechanical handling of the matter—H. O. Taylor
H. O. Taylor4
a
: relating to, governed by, or in accordance with the principles of mechanics
mechanical energy
b
: relating to the quantitative relations of force and matter
mechanical pressure of wind on a tower
5
: caused by, resulting from, or relating to a process that involves a purely physical as opposed to a chemical or biological change or process
mechanical erosion of rock
1
: a piece of finished copy consisting typically of type proofs and artwork positioned and mounted for photomechanical reproduction
2
obsolete
: mechanic sense 1
Synonyms
Examples of mechanical in a Sentence
Adjective
The flight was delayed because of mechanical problems.
I was impressed by her mechanical know-how.
She gave a mechanical reply.
Copying down the numbers is a boring and mechanical job.
The actor gave a stiff and mechanical performance.
Recent Examples on the WebAnchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2023
Another of the three chillers suffered a mechanical problem, likely related to the fire, said Jeff Provenzano, the Maryland Stadium Authority’s vice president of facilities.
—Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2023
Watch aficionados prize mechanical movements over quartz.
—Jeremy White, WIRED, 6 Sep. 2023
The clatter was more mechanical, as if somewhere deep beneath the waves someone was pecking out a memo on a manual typewriter.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
High mileage is usually an indicator of risk for a lender, and a new loan might not account for unforeseen mechanical issues.
—Ashley Donohoe, Car and Driver, 2 Sep. 2023
Reimagining the ground floor would also require developers to treat it as more than an afterthought, or not just what can fit into the leftover space once the lobby, elevators, mechanical rooms and structural beams have gone in, said Jodie McLean.
—Emily Badger, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
The construction of the mechanical room would clear the way for the installation of new air-handling system equipment for the north end of the state Capitol.
—Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2023
Related Story And remember, Big Apple dwellers: Any project in New York that requires moving walls, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work will most likely require a design-build firm or an architect.
—ELLE Decor, 30 Aug. 2023
Frank Markus, Car and Driver, 31 Aug. 2023
And the same could be said for the mechanicals, as there’s a lot of familiar hardware under that new sheet metal.
—Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2023
The mechanicals remained the same as the previous 4104 model: a 300-hp 7.7-liter V-8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and a curb weight of roughly 7000 pounds.
—Brendan McAleer, Car and Driver, 20 July 2023
Before mechanicals, these original action pieces relied on sand and a wheel to initiate movement.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland, 13 July 2023
The space also offers storage and provides access to the HVAC system and other mechanicals.
—John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2023
Today's new tech is electrification, and the Zora is a mashup of the ZR-1's mechanicals and the 160-hp electric motor snuggled under the E-Ray's nose.
—Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 13 Apr. 2023
However, this doesn’t mean that mechanicals machines are impossible for beginners—there just may be a few extra steps and a bit more of a learning curve.
—Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2023
An attorney for the county told members of a commission committee last month that Rock Ventures was getting close to completing the center, but still had some interior work and various mechanicals and electricals to do.
—Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2023
See More
Adjective
Because of a mechanical problem, Friday’s Anchorage Daily News print edition wasn’t delivered to many subscribers on Friday morning.
—Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2023
Another of the three chillers suffered a mechanical problem, likely related to the fire, said Jeff Provenzano, the Maryland Stadium Authority’s vice president of facilities.
—Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2023
Watch aficionados prize mechanical movements over quartz.
—Jeremy White, WIRED, 6 Sep. 2023
The clatter was more mechanical, as if somewhere deep beneath the waves someone was pecking out a memo on a manual typewriter.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
High mileage is usually an indicator of risk for a lender, and a new loan might not account for unforeseen mechanical issues.
—Ashley Donohoe, Car and Driver, 2 Sep. 2023
Reimagining the ground floor would also require developers to treat it as more than an afterthought, or not just what can fit into the leftover space once the lobby, elevators, mechanical rooms and structural beams have gone in, said Jodie McLean.
—Emily Badger, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
The construction of the mechanical room would clear the way for the installation of new air-handling system equipment for the north end of the state Capitol.
—Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2023
Related Story And remember, Big Apple dwellers: Any project in New York that requires moving walls, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work will most likely require a design-build firm or an architect.
—ELLE Decor, 30 Aug. 2023
Noun
Superb driving position, slick and precise mechanicals.
—Frank Markus, Car and Driver, 31 Aug. 2023
And the same could be said for the mechanicals, as there’s a lot of familiar hardware under that new sheet metal.
—Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2023
The mechanicals remained the same as the previous 4104 model: a 300-hp 7.7-liter V-8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and a curb weight of roughly 7000 pounds.
—Brendan McAleer, Car and Driver, 20 July 2023
Before mechanicals, these original action pieces relied on sand and a wheel to initiate movement.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland, 13 July 2023
The space also offers storage and provides access to the HVAC system and other mechanicals.
—John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2023
Today's new tech is electrification, and the Zora is a mashup of the ZR-1's mechanicals and the 160-hp electric motor snuggled under the E-Ray's nose.
—Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 13 Apr. 2023
However, this doesn’t mean that mechanicals machines are impossible for beginners—there just may be a few extra steps and a bit more of a learning curve.
—Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2023
An attorney for the county told members of a commission committee last month that Rock Ventures was getting close to completing the center, but still had some interior work and various mechanicals and electricals to do.
—Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mechanical.' 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
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Noun
1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of mechanical was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing mechanical
Dictionary Entries Near mechanical
Cite this Entry
“Mechanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanical. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
mechanical
adjective
me·chan·i·cal
mi-ˈkan-i-kəl
1
a
: of or relating to machinery
mechanical skill
b
: made or operated by a machine or machinery
a mechanical toy
2
: done as if by machine : impersonal
gave a mechanical reply
3
: relating to or according with the principles of mechanics
mechanically
adverb
-i-k(ə-)lē
Medical Definition
mechanical
adjective
me·chan·i·cal
mi-ˈkan-i-kəl
1
: relating to the quantitative relations of force and matter
mechanical pressure exerted by the bubbles in the tissues—H. G. Armstrong
H. G. Armstrong2
: caused by, resulting from, or relating to physical as opposed to biological or chemical processes or change
mechanical injury
mechanical asphyxiation
More from Merriam-Webster on mechanical
Nglish: Translation of mechanical for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of mechanical for Arabic Speakers
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