me·chan·i·cal
mi-ˈka-ni-kəl 
1
a(1)
: of or relating to machinery (see machinery sense 1) or tools
mechanical applications of science
a mechanical genius
mechanical aptitude
(2)
: produced or operated by a machine or tool
mechanical power
a mechanical refrigerator
a mechanical saw
b
: of or relating to manual operations
2
: of or relating to artisans (see artisan sense 1) or machinists
the mechanical trades
3
a
: done as if by machine : seemingly uninfluenced by the mind or emotions : automatic
busy in a leisurely mechanical way—
Douglas Stewart
Douglas Stewart
b
: of or relating to technicalities or petty matters
nor was any capacity shown for anything above a mechanical handling of the matter—H. O. Taylor
H. O. Taylor4
a
: relating to, governed by, or in accordance with the principles of mechanics
mechanical energy
b
: relating to the quantitative relations of force and matter
mechanical pressure of wind on a tower
5
: caused by, resulting from, or relating to a process that involves a purely physical as opposed to a chemical or biological change or process
mechanical erosion of rock
1
: a piece of finished copy consisting typically of type proofs and artwork positioned and mounted for photomechanical reproduction
2
obsolete
: mechanic sense 1
Synonyms
Examples of mechanical in a Sentence
Adjective
The flight was delayed because of mechanical problems.
I was impressed by her mechanical know-how.
She gave a mechanical reply.
Copying down the numbers is a boring and mechanical job.
The actor gave a stiff and mechanical performance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nir Eisikovits, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
The team is currently working on creating an improved coating that can reduce FOG deposits in sewers by enhancing both its self-healing capabilities and mechanical strength.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024
Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2024
Unlike the sound recording side of the music business, which decides on their streaming rates based on private, free market negotiations, the publishing mechanicals are highly regulated in the U.S.
Related
Publishers and Songwriters Are Due Hundreds of Millions in Additional Royalties.
—Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mechanical 
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Adjective
Anyone trying to stand in the technology’s way is as hopeless as the manual weavers who resisted the mechanical looms in the early 19th century.
—Nir Eisikovits, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
The team is currently working on creating an improved coating that can reduce FOG deposits in sewers by enhancing both its self-healing capabilities and mechanical strength.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
Sheehan said his company inspects everything from the roof to the rafters to the mechanicals.
—Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2024
Unlike the sound recording side of the music business, which decides on their streaming rates based on private, free market negotiations, the publishing mechanicals are highly regulated in the U.S.
Related
Publishers and Songwriters Are Due Hundreds of Millions in Additional Royalties.
—Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mechanical
Dictionary Entries Near mechanical
Cite this Entry
“Mechanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanical. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
mechanical
adjective
me·chan·i·cal
mi-ˈkan-i-kəl
1
: relating to the quantitative relations of force and matter
mechanical pressure exerted by the bubbles in the tissues—H. G. Armstrong
H. G. Armstrong2
: caused by, resulting from, or relating to physical as opposed to biological or chemical processes or change
mechanical injury
mechanical asphyxiation
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