mechanism

noun mech·a·nism \ ˈme-kə-ˌni-zəm \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

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

Countries and RECs still have to complete negotiations on competition, dispute-resolution mechanisms, intellectual property rights and investments, among other issues.

— landry signé, Washington Post, "Africa’s big new free trade agreement, explained," 29 Mar. 2018
If train signals are one of the principal ailments afflicting the New York City subway system, then how often do the antiquated mechanisms, some of which date back to the Truman White House, fail?

— sarah maslin nir, New York Times, "How Often Do Subway Signals Fail? Ask Twitter," 28 Mar. 2018
So the very thick restrictor mechanism, literally always-Trumpers couldn’t get jobs in the White House.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci on Recode Decode," 22 Mar. 2018
Each of these can disrupt the body’s natural metabolic slow-down or temperature-control mechanisms, and so disrupt or curtail sleep, his study suggests.

— markham heid, Time, "You Asked: Why Do I Sweat When I Sleep?," 21 Mar. 2018
Carbon monoxide detectors are another safety mechanism to put in homes, and families should be mindful of asbestos, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

— lauren castle, azcentral, "What to remember to prevent poisonings, and who to call if you need help," 20 Mar. 2018
Connecticut, which lacks a mechanism to legalize marijuana with the ballot, would have to take a similar route.

— matthew ormseth, courant.com, "Lawmakers Hold Hearing Thursday On Legalizing Marijuana," 15 Mar. 2018
And so Hagerman developed his own eccentric experiment, one that was part silent protest, part coping mechanism, part extreme self-care plan.

— sam dolnick, miamiherald, "After Trump won, this man vowed to become ignorant. He’s been shockingly successful | Miami Herald," 11 Mar. 2018
Both of these brave siblings have been working diligently to move through their past hurts and are very determined and focused on developing new, healthier coping mechanisms and communication skills.

— idahostatesman, "Meet Christian and Kyle," 4 Mar. 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

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