mechanism

noun

mech·​a·​nism ˈme-kə-ˌni-zəm 

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 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

One objective Burns has in Qatar is to explore what kind of format or mechanism can be established to secure the flow of aid outside the hostage negotiations framework, said people familiar with the matter. —John Hudson, Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2023

Radiation is one of three mechanisms for heat transfer. —Sid Assawaworrarit, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2023

Notably, researchers propose associative learning as a critical mechanism in the development of synesthetic experiences, highlighting that synesthesia can potentially be learned through appropriate training procedures. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

Substances as different as alcohol, tobacco and opioids may share underlying mechanisms or therapeutic targets. —David A. Brenner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2023

But the film becomes less about one artist’s quest for glory and much, much more about two artists using creativity as a ballast, a bond, and a coping mechanism. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2023

Advertisement The goal of the study was twofold: to help those who suffer from red-wine headaches identify the cause and hopefully avoid it in the future, and to help scientists and doctors understand the nature of migraines and headache mechanisms more generally. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023

Contract provisions that prevent or discourage quitting, like noncompete agreements and stay-or-pay clauses, are a mechanism by which job mobility is halted. —Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023

And in skin or hair treatment devices, Rogers says the mechanism is to emit a single, concentrated wavelength of light. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mechanism

• defense mechanism
• escape mechanism
• survival mechanism

• defense mechanism
• escape mechanism
• survival mechanism

Kids Definition

mechanism

noun

mech·​a·​nism ˈmek-ə-ˌniz-əm 

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 

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

ˌmek-ə-ˈnis-tik 

adjective