mechanism

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noun mech·a·nism \ ˈme-kə-ˌni-zəm \

Definition of mechanism

1 a :a piece of machinery (see machinery 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

2 :mechanical operation or action :working 2

he acknowledges nothing besides matter and motion; so that all must be performed either by mechanism or by accident
—Richard 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 tornadoes
—Think

— compare defense mechanism

See mechanism defined for English-language learners

See mechanism defined for kids

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 of mechanism from the Web

The light is reflected off a precision mirror and into a focusing mechanism to expose a photo resistant material –

— mike freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "ASML's Cymer Technologies hits milestones to deliver smaller, faster chips," 29 Aug. 2017
Peace and development researchers who want to influence policy debates can’t just release findings but have to establish mechanisms for implementation.

— kristian hoelscher, Washington Post, "Information technology can help build peace. This is how.," 24 Aug. 2017
To solve that issue, a mechanism has been installed to make the structure collapse when it’s being moved, Edward said.

— anthony clark carpio, Burbank Leader, "Burbank Rose Parade volunteers busy constructing 2018 float," 18 Aug. 2017
That officer has now filed a $7 million lawsuit against Sig Sauer, alleging that the gun has an defective safety mechanism.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "New Handgun Chosen by U.S. Army Goes Off If Dropped," 9 Aug. 2017
TIF is an economic development mechanism available to local governments in Ohio to finance public infrastructure improvements.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: Trustees approve TIF for Colerain Township," 9 Aug. 2017
Republicans could try to use a special fast-track mechanism to raise the debt ceiling with just 50 Senate votes, but that could be a risky strategy, particularly after their failed effort to repeal Obamacare under that procedure.

— anna edgerton, Bloomberg.com, "Top House Conservative Drops Debt-Ceiling Demands," 2 Aug. 2017
The mechanism is unknown, and the study could not distinguish between different types of drinks.

— nicholas bakalar, New York Times, "Moderate Drinking Tied to Lower Diabetes Risk," 1 Aug. 2017
The excision mechanism consists of two molecules: an enzyme (Cas9) derived from a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes, and a piece of RNA, a chemical akin to DNA that is made up of similar genetic letters.

— The Economist, "Gene drivesA promising means of pest control meets some evolutionary truths," 22 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mechanism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of mechanism

1662

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

MECHANISM Defined for English Language Learners

mechanism

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noun

Definition of mechanism for English Language Learners

: a piece of machinery : a mechanical part or group of parts having a particular function
: a process or system that is used to produce a particular result
: a way of acting, thinking, or behaving that helps or protects a person in a specified way

MECHANISM Defined for Kids

mechanism

play

noun mech·a·nism \ ˈme-kə-ˌni-zəm \

Definition of mechanism for Students

1 :a piece of machinery

2 :the parts by which a machine operates

the mechanism of a watch

3 :the parts or steps that make up a process or activity

the mechanism of government

Medical Dictionary

mechanism

play

noun mech·a·nism \ ˈmek-ə-ˌniz-əm \

medical Definition of mechanism

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

play \ˌmek-ə-ˈnis-tik\ adjective

Learn More about mechanism

See words that rhyme with mechanism Spanish Central: Translation of mechanism Nglish: Translation of mechanism for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mechanism for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mechanism

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Examples of mechanism in a Sentence

Recent Examples of mechanism from the Web

First Known Use of mechanism

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

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MECHANISM Defined for English Language Learners

mechanism

Definition of mechanism for English Language Learners

MECHANISM Defined for Kids

mechanism

Definition of mechanism for Students

Medical Dictionary

mechanism

medical Definition of mechanism

mechanistic

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