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
The mechanisms for publicly projecting a presidential winner in the media, officially counting the votes and formally electing a president are separate from a candidate conceding the race.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately for him, her preferred coping mechanism of denial has left him out in the cold ever since.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
The activation mechanism of rat vanilloid receptor 1 by capsaicin involves the pore domain and differs from the activation by either acid or heat
Niigata University School of Medicine.
—Amiah Taylor, Discover Magazine, 13 Nov. 2024
King Smith recommends lubricating the belt every three months, and this is easy to do thanks to the folding mechanism, which makes getting under the belt simple.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mechanism 
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Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately for him, her preferred coping mechanism of denial has left him out in the cold ever since.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
The activation mechanism of rat vanilloid receptor 1 by capsaicin involves the pore domain and differs from the activation by either acid or heat
Niigata University School of Medicine.
—Amiah Taylor, Discover Magazine, 13 Nov. 2024
King Smith recommends lubricating the belt every three months, and this is easy to do thanks to the folding mechanism, which makes getting under the belt simple.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mechanism
Dictionary Entries Near mechanism
Cite this Entry
“Mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanism. Accessed 28 Nov. 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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