mechanism

[ mek-uh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. an assembly of moving parts performing a complete functional motion, often being part of a large machine; linkage.
2. the agency or means by which an effect is produced or a purpose is accomplished.
3. machinery or mechanical appliances in general.
4. the structure or arrangement of parts of a machine or similar device, or of anything analogous.
5. the mechanical part of something; any mechanical device:

   the mechanism of a clock.

6. routine methods or procedures; mechanics:

   the mechanism of government.

7. mechanical execution, as in painting or music; technique.
8. the theory that everything in the universe is produced by matter in motion; materialism. Compare dynamism ( def 1 ), vitalism ( def 1 ).
9. Philosophy.
   1. the view that all natural processes are explicable in terms of classical mechanics.
   2. the view that all biological processes may be described in physicochemical terms.
10. Psychoanalysis. the habitual operation and interaction of psychological forces within an individual that assist in interpreting or dealing with the physical or psychological environment.

mechanism

/ ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. a system or structure of moving parts that performs some function, esp in a machine
2. something resembling a machine in the arrangement and working of its parts

   the mechanism of the ear

3. any form of mechanical device or any part of such a device
4. a process or technique, esp of execution

   the mechanism of novel writing

5. philosophy
   1. the doctrine that human action can be explained in purely physical terms, whether mechanical or biological
   2. the explanation of phenomena in causal rather than teleological or essentialist terms
   3. the view that the task of science is to seek such explanations
   4. strict determinism Compare dynamism vitalism
6. psychoanal
   1. the ways in which psychological forces interact and operate
   2. a structure having an influence on the behaviour of a person, such as a defence mechanism

Other Words From

• mecha·nismic adjective
• anti·mechan·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mechanism¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from New Latin mēchanismus; Late Latin mēchanisma “contrivance,” from Greek mēchan(ḗ) machine + New Latin -ismus, Late Latin -isma -ism

Example Sentences

Amnesty has called for the embargo to be expanded to the rest of Sudan, and to strengthen its monitoring mechanism following the outbreak of a civil war last year.

From BBC

“It’s a simple game mechanism — people just trying to find patterns together — but the visuals of it, with things on your head and lights changing colors, it does it all. It creates a connection. It creates laughter. You can think about mathematics and patterns. This, to me, is improvisational choreography.”

From Los Angeles Times

“This ability is largely influenced by a lack of an allo-recognition system, which usually differentiates self from non-self and triggers immune rejection. In our experiments, nearly 90% of individuals exhibited fusion, suggesting that comb jellies might lack this allo-recognition mechanism.”

From Salon

"This fascinating finding will open the door for many important discoveries. It will be interesting to reveal the molecular mechanism driving reverse development, and what happens to the animal's nerve net during this process."

From Salon

The FSB wants the UK government to "implement a system that allows dispute resolution between the larger companies and the small businesses and that is paid by a mechanism that raises the fees from the big platforms".

From BBC

Related Words

• agency
• operation
• procedure
• process
• system
• technique