mechanism

noun

SayMEK-uh-ni-zuhmUK/ˈmɛk.ə.nɪ.zəm/AUS/ˈmek.ə.nɪ.zəm/

6 meanings of mechanism

1
nouncountable
A set of moving parts that controls movement or power inside a machine.
Like the moving parts inside a wind-up toy that make it go.
The locking mechanism on the door is broken.
Engineers fixed the mechanism that raises the bridge.
Similardevice, apparatus, machinery, gear, assembly
Note
2
nouncountable
A process in the mind, body, or in chemistry by which something happens.
Like the way a plant slowly turns sunlight into food, step by step.
Sweating is the body's main mechanism for cooling down.
Sudden fear can trigger a fight-or-flight mechanism.
Similarprocess, means, pathway, method, procedure
3
nouncountable
A set of parts like gears, belts, and chains that work together.
Like the gears and belts inside a bicycle that connect the pedals to the wheels.
The toy's mechanism uses tiny gears and a rubber belt.
He took apart the old mechanism to see how the chains moved.
Similarmovement, works, workings, machinery
Note
4
nouncountable
A group of things that work or interact together.
An ecosystem is a mechanism in which many living things interact.
The committee acts as a mechanism for different departments to coordinate.
Similarsystem, network, organism
Note
5
nouncountable
A system or process made to turn energy into useful work.
Like a windmill that turns moving air into useful work.
A car engine is a mechanism for turning fuel into motion.
The solar panel acts as a mechanism that changes sunlight into power.
Similarsystem, device, process, means
6
noununcountable
The idea that everything in nature can be explained by physical causes.
Like saying a clock works only because of its gears, with nothing magical inside.
Many scientists accept mechanism as the best way to explain nature.
According to mechanism, even thoughts come from physical causes.
Similarphysicalism, materialism
Oppositevitalism
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from New Latin mechanismus, which came from the Ancient Greek word mēkhanḗ, meaning "machine."