mechanism

noun mech·a·nism \ ˈme-kə-ˌni-zəm \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Examples: mechanism in a Sentence

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 mayor said in the letter that both versions failed to properly define and regulate lobbying, as well as create a proper enforcement mechanism.

— milton j. valencia, BostonGlobe.com, "Walsh vetoes city lobbying rules, calling proposal ‘inadequate’," 12 July 2018
That would come as a surprise to the drafters of the Constitution, who created a mechanism for exactly such a scenario.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Paul Ryan Unaware Constitution Lets Congress Override Presidential Veto," 12 July 2018
Having a mechanism for benefit sharing is important, says Cassandra Quave, an ethnobotanist at Emory University in Atlanta who works with indigenous people to identify plants with medicinal properties.

— kai kupferschmidt, Science | AAAS, "Plan to amend biopiracy rules would ‘smother research,’ biologists warn," 3 July 2018
For years, the mechanism was simple and ineffective.

— steve donoghue, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Frenemies' is Ken Auletta's brightly readable tour of today's ad business," 20 June 2018
Our current reporting mechanisms don’t allow that to happen.

— megan thielking, STAT, "Sexual harassment is rampant in science — and current policies aren’t cutting it, landmark report finds," 12 June 2018
Bound to each other by land, family, tradition and the vote, the governing class and the people created mechanisms for addressing grievances.

— reuel marc gerecht and, WSJ, "Don’t Fear Regime Change in Iran," 11 June 2018
There is a clear association with puffy eyes after a poor night of sleep, but the exact mechanisms are unclear.

— adam hurly, GQ, "This Is How Sleep Deprivation Affects Your Appearance," 9 June 2018
On the contrary, rules help deter aggressors, shape countries’ behaviour, safeguard American interests and create a mechanism to help solve problems from trade to climate change.

— The Economist, "Donald Trump’s demolition theory of foreign policy won’t work," 7 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

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

MECHANISM Defined for English Language Learners

mechanism

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