1
as in devices
a mechanical part or group of parts used to perform a specific task
The printer's paper feeding mechanism is jammed.
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2
as in methods
a series of actions used to achieve an end
She was stunned to learn that there was no mechanism in place to remedy the problem.
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Recent Examples of mechanisms
These mechanisms can create new effector genes that enable pathogens to infect and colonize a host plant.
—
Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026
Weight Control More research is needed, but one systematic review found that ginger may help promote weight loss through various mechanisms.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 17 Feb. 2026
Andy Cheung / Getty Images The concept of pressure or high expectations is not unique to Malinin, though Olympic athletes vary with their mechanisms for dealing with it.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
These mini-retinas pointed out that the specific cellular mechanisms arrange red, green, and blue cone cells, noting that the foveola uniquely excludes blue cones to maximize visual clarity.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
An independent review commissioned by the United Nations acknowledged neutrality challenges and recommended stronger oversight and vetting mechanisms.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Mortgage payments can also be reduced through a variety of federal mechanisms, including reforms to FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, increasing the availability of Foreclosure Mitigation Counselors, and providing funding for certain home repairs, allowing your dollars to stretch farther.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The leaf shutter in the lens has a range from bulb to 1/500th of a second and is controlled via a mechanical film advance lever built around brass gears and mechanisms that provides a tactile experience.
—New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
The good news is that understanding the mechanisms behind perimenopause and the power of muscle can help women take their health into their own hands.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026
Weight Control More research is needed, but one systematic review found that ginger may help promote weight loss through various mechanisms.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 17 Feb. 2026
Andy Cheung / Getty Images The concept of pressure or high expectations is not unique to Malinin, though Olympic athletes vary with their mechanisms for dealing with it.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
These mini-retinas pointed out that the specific cellular mechanisms arrange red, green, and blue cone cells, noting that the foveola uniquely excludes blue cones to maximize visual clarity.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
An independent review commissioned by the United Nations acknowledged neutrality challenges and recommended stronger oversight and vetting mechanisms.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Mortgage payments can also be reduced through a variety of federal mechanisms, including reforms to FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, increasing the availability of Foreclosure Mitigation Counselors, and providing funding for certain home repairs, allowing your dollars to stretch farther.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The leaf shutter in the lens has a range from bulb to 1/500th of a second and is controlled via a mechanical film advance lever built around brass gears and mechanisms that provides a tactile experience.
—New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
The good news is that understanding the mechanisms behind perimenopause and the power of muscle can help women take their health into their own hands.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanisms
Noun
-
In September, a swarm of Russian drones flew into Poland's airspace, prompting NATO aircraft to scramble to intercept them and shoot down some of the devices.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The countries announced a framework for the agreement in November, saying Argentina would ease restrictions on a range of American imports, including cattle, dairy products, medicines, chemicals, machinery, medical devices and vehicles.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When apartments are too cold, residents may turn to unsafe heating methods that dramatically increase fire risk.—
Lillian Bonsignore,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Munnichs said the community appreciates repair, but mostly traditional methods such as sashiko or upcycling old pairs into something new.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Winter weather alerts are in effect across parts of California, Nevada and Oregon ahead of two systems expected in the coming days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In contrast to task-specific systems like Isaac 0, companies such as Figure AI have developed general-purpose humanoids, such as the Figure 02, designed to handle a wide range of industrial and household tasks rather than specializing in a single task.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps the wildest example of the rout was Algorhythm Holdings, a small trucking logistics company that also sells karaoke machines.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The report emphasizes that machines are designed to minimize the use of water and to reduce energy consumption without compromising the quality of the final product.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Satisfied with medical procedures already in place, NASA ordered no extra checkups for the crew ahead of liftoff and no new diagnostic equipment was packed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Permits cannot be denied because the event is controversial, filing procedures weren't followed in time before a breaking news event or the application fee was too high.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An organization that tests AI models called Model Evaluation and Threat Research found in July that developers take 19% longer to work on their code when using AI, although that research was based on tools from early 2025.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Another worry is that if AI succeeds in creating tools to do complicated tasks more cheaply, companies in industries as far flung as software and legal services and trucking logistics could see their businesses get undercut.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If someone drastically limits caloric intake or routinely goes 24 hours without eating, the body shifts energy toward essential biological processes and away from nonessential ones, Rossi says.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The film moves swiftly into procedural mode as Leslie is subjected to the ostensibly correct legal processes, including a rape kit.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mechanisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanisms. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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