mechanism

noun

mech·a·nism | \ˈme-kə-ˌni-zəm

Definition of mechanism

1a : 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 peace— F. 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 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

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

The case involves the executive branch’s attempt to force a private corporation to break the encryption and other security mechanisms on a product relied upon by the public to have private conversations. — Cyrus Farivar, Ars Technica, "DOJ made secret arguments to break crypto, now ACLU wants to make them public," 28 Nov. 2018 The mayor also noted that if issues arise in the future about the contract, there is a new mechanism for review by the Police Department’s civilian inspector general. — Steve Miletich, The Seattle Times, "Federal judge questions whether Seattle police-union contract in keeping with ‘spirit’ of reforms," 5 Nov. 2018 Name: Harlan Greenfield Patent: Wheelchair Accessible Forklift, a forklift with a flat platform that allows a person using a wheelchair to operate it and incorporates additional control mechanisms for disabled drivers. — Popular Mechanics, "A Disabled Veteran Inspired Me To Invent the Forklift Anyone Can Drive," 29 Oct. 2018 However, footballers do have coping mechanisms behind the scenes to help them deal with those pressures, pranks being one of the main ones. — SI.com, "6 of the Biggest Pranksters in Football," 17 June 2018 Paddle a canoe Welcome to Disneyland's only attraction free of tracks, rails or other mechanisms designed to keep you on course. — Scott Craven, USA TODAY, "5 under-the-radar things you've (probably) never done at Disneyland, but should," 25 May 2018 Some other jurisdictions use gas tax or other funding mechanisms. — Scott Maxwell, OrlandoSentinel.com, "15 questions for the candidates for Orange County mayor. Where do they stand?," 24 May 2018 Today, electric blowers and other mechanisms create a steady stream of air and maintain the appropriate pressure to control the organ’s sound. — Elaine Schmidt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Lost in the rubble of Trinity church, a 'priceless and irreplaceable' pipe organ from 1879," 18 May 2018 The clinic provides real healing, tools and coping mechanisms to those suffering with complex mental illness, including addiction, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, mood and personality disorders. — Elizabeth Pudwill, Houston Chronicle, "Actor Sean Astin discusses mother Patty Duke's struggle with mental illness at Houston luncheon," 9 May 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.