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
F. D. Roosevelt2
: 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
Richard Bentley3
: 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
ThinkExamples 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
In it, Fox talks about the shock of his diagnosis, which led to heavy drinking and other coping mechanisms, the massive impact on his family and his feelings about the future.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
The tentative deal is expected to broker a compromise between congressional Democrats and Republicans by preempting state data protection laws and creating a mechanism to let individuals sue companies that violate their privacy, the person said.
—Cristiano Lima-Strong, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
If officials can shield public business done on their personal devices by simply asserting that there’s no enforcement mechanism to get those records, then the 2016 law is essentially toothless.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
By studying the mechanisms and genes that let nudibranchs process and use nematocysts from other creatures, Goodheart hopes to advance drug research in humans.
—Helen Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
When this mechanism was disrupted experimentally, the mother no longer cared for her pups.
—R Douglas Fields, WIRED, 31 Mar. 2024
SawStop holds over 100 patents, many directly related to the safety mechanism.
—Ben Blatt, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024
The compelling opportunities identified through research underscores the need to find mechanisms to translate this potential into planning reality.
—Jeff Opperman, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
In the meantime, Kapoor said the city will put additional mechanisms in place, including training employees on the fund’s uses and implementing an additional approval requirement before money is taken out.
—Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
The tentative deal is expected to broker a compromise between congressional Democrats and Republicans by preempting state data protection laws and creating a mechanism to let individuals sue companies that violate their privacy, the person said.
—Cristiano Lima-Strong, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
If officials can shield public business done on their personal devices by simply asserting that there’s no enforcement mechanism to get those records, then the 2016 law is essentially toothless.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
By studying the mechanisms and genes that let nudibranchs process and use nematocysts from other creatures, Goodheart hopes to advance drug research in humans.
—Helen Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
When this mechanism was disrupted experimentally, the mother no longer cared for her pups.
—R Douglas Fields, WIRED, 31 Mar. 2024
SawStop holds over 100 patents, many directly related to the safety mechanism.
—Ben Blatt, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024
The compelling opportunities identified through research underscores the need to find mechanisms to translate this potential into planning reality.
—Jeff Opperman, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
In the meantime, Kapoor said the city will put additional mechanisms in place, including training employees on the fund’s uses and implementing an additional approval requirement before money is taken out.
—Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mechanism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mechanism
Cite this Entry
“Mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanism. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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