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
As Yuval Levin of the American Enterprise Institute points out, there are ways to put teeth in a more stringent age restriction, create a reliable mechanism for age verification, and give those parents who desperately want their young kids on social media a way to opt in.
—Rich Lowry, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Some economists caution that Trump’s language about America’s trade gap presents an unfair representation of what has become a crucial mechanism for the US economy — its ability to purchase services offered by other countries as well as stuff that isn’t made here much, like coffee.
—David Goldman, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
In many cases, destructive behavior could be a coping mechanism for the stress of being left alone.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
There are other mechanisms by which people work with USAID.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for mechanism 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rich Lowry, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Some economists caution that Trump’s language about America’s trade gap presents an unfair representation of what has become a crucial mechanism for the US economy — its ability to purchase services offered by other countries as well as stuff that isn’t made here much, like coffee.
—David Goldman, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
In many cases, destructive behavior could be a coping mechanism for the stress of being left alone.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
There are other mechanisms by which people work with USAID.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025
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 16 Feb. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share