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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To appease Republicans concerned that the new provider tax mechanism would harm rural hospitals, Senate negotiators added a provision that would double funding for rural hospitals beginning in 2026 over a five-year period. Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Experts interviewed for this story generally agreed that although Kamb and Ganguli’s paper illuminates the mechanisms behind creativity in diffusion models, much remains mysterious. Quanta Magazine, 30 June 2025 With only a simple majority required to advance the legislation, rather than the 60-votes needed to move forward with most legislation, Senate Democrats have few mechanisms to combat the bill's progress. Kaia Hubbard june 29, CBS News, 29 June 2025 Do not submerge the sliding mechanism, Hensley warns. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mechanism

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of mechanism was in 1662

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanism. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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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