mechanical

[ muh-kan-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. having to do with machinery:

   a mechanical failure.

2. being a machine; operated by machinery:

   a mechanical toy.

3. caused by or derived from machinery:

   mechanical propulsion.

4. using machine parts only.
5. brought about by friction, abrasion, etc.:

   a mechanical bond between stones; mechanical erosion.

6. pertaining to the design, use, understanding, etc., of tools and machinery:

   the mechanical trades; mechanical ability.

7. acting or performed without spontaneity, spirit, individuality, etc.:

   a mechanical performance.

8. habitual; routine; automatic:

   Practice that step until it becomes mechanical.

9. belonging or pertaining to the subject matter of mechanics. mechanics.
10. pertaining to, or controlled or effected by, physical forces.
11. (of a philosopher or philosophical theory) explaining phenomena as due to mechanical action or the material forces of the universe.
12. subordinating the spiritual to the material; materialistic.

noun

1. a mechanical object, part, device, etc.
2. Printing. a sheet of stiff paper on which has been pasted artwork and type proofs for making a printing plate; paste-up.
3. Obsolete. a skilled manual laborer, as a carpenter or other artisan.

mechanical

/ mɪˈkænɪkəl /

adjective

1. made, performed, or operated by or as if by a machine or machinery

   a mechanical process

2. concerned with machines or machinery
3. relating to or controlled or operated by physical forces
4. of or concerned with mechanics
5. (of a gesture, etc) automatic; lacking thought, feeling, etc
6. philosophy accounting for phenomena by physically determining forces
7. (of paper, such as newsprint) made from pulp that has been mechanically ground and contains impurities

noun

1. printing another name for camera-ready copy
2. archaic.
   another word for mechanic

Derived Forms

• meˈchanically, adverb
• meˈchanicalness, noun
• meˈchanicalism, noun

Other Words From

• me·chani·cal·ly adverb
• me·chani·cal·ness me·chani·cali·ty noun
• nonme·chani·cal adjective
• nonme·chani·cal·ly adverb
• nonme·chani·cal·ness noun
• quasi-me·chani·cal adjective
• quasi-me·chani·cal·ly adverb
• semi·me·chani·cal adjective
• super·me·chani·cal adjective
• super·me·chani·cal·ly adverb
• unme·chani·cal adjective
• unme·chani·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of mechanical¹

1375–1425; late Middle English, equivalent to mechanic mechanical + -al ¹; mechanic

Example Sentences

Currently, the advanced mechanical, geotechnical, and imaging technologies needed for further study of the Champati seeds are not fully available in Kathmandu.

From Science Daily

Competition in the budget travel market has been rising and Spirit has also been forced to ground aircraft as a result of mechanical issues with some engines, which drove up operating costs.

From BBC

One thing they still don't do well, however, is measure or "feel" surfaces -- a purely mechanical function.

From Science Daily

Ayden died at the hospital "with his family around him", shortly after the mechanical ventilation keeping him alive was withdrawn.

From BBC

Later the same year, there was a mechanical and electrical failure which led to more sewage flowing into Clackers Brook.

From BBC

Related Words

• automated
• automatic