mechanism

noun

Definition of mechanismnext
1
as in apparatus
a mechanical part or group of parts used to perform a specific task The printer's paper feeding mechanism is jammed.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in system
a series of actions used to achieve an end She was stunned to learn that there was no mechanism in place to remedy the problem.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of mechanism The clutch-actuation mechanism on the DCT models has been tweaked to provide smoother transitions and improved control when riding at extremely low speeds. — New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2025 However, under the ICC’s withdrawal mechanism, the ICC keeps jurisdiction over crimes committed during the membership period of a state. — Zahid Mahmood, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025 According to lead author Marina Blanco, this lengthening may serve as a protective mechanism against cell damage that could otherwise occur during periodic warming phases. — Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025 An internal support mechanism keeps your head cradled in an ergonomic position, preventing a stiff neck. — Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mechanism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanism
  1. apparatus
  2. system
  3. device
  4. method
  5. machine
  6. process
  7. tool
  8. procedure
Noun
  • The apparatus is almost calibrated for caution: Each party is guaranteed at least two commissioners at all times.
    — Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Now, Homan’s administration wants to use the awesome powers of the federal law enforcement apparatus to intimidate and silence those who disagree with their policy agenda.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of apparatus
Noun
  • The big picture: The fires that have razed at least 170,000 acres ignited Friday are tied to the same giant storm system that brought tornadoes to the U.S. South, per Axios' Andrew Freedman.
    — Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Dust storms and wildfires Dust storms spurred by the storm system’s early high winds claimed almost a dozen lives on Friday.
    — Jeff Roberson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of system
Noun
  • These range from counseling to lifestyle changes to medications to devices to surgery.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • But the game’s biggest achievement lies in its success as a time travel story, a narrative device that’s — more often than not — hard to do right.
    — Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of device
Noun
  • For many Africans, living in a postcolonial con- text, militarization has been prioritized over care or harm reduction methods.
    — Edna Bonhomme, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Ferrazzi introduces methods like stress testing, where team members openly challenge ideas in a structured format to refine decision-making. Build Psychological Safety First – For negotiation to be effective, team members must feel safe voicing concerns.
    — Kwame Christian, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of method
Noun
  • The machines were part of a pilot program that ended earlier this year, and the state patrol is preparing its results for state lawmakers.
    — Meg Anderson, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Its value in business has long been tied to cost-savings, replacing expensive human labor with machines that can perform repetitive tasks.
    — Preetpal Singh, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of machine
Noun
  • Strickland’s research focuses on detecting whether LLMs can infer details about their own training process, constraints, and objectives simply from patterns in their training data.
    — Craig S. Smith, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The process of digging up a perennial plant, disturbing its roots, cutting the plant into pieces, and then replanting it is quite traumatic to the plant.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of process
Noun
  • Health care leaders argue that the lack of funding for the IHS limits improvement to medical tools and systems, which affects the quality of care.
    — Solcyré Burga, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
  • These tools, while powerful productivity enhancers, introduce new data leakage concerns that traditional security controls struggle to manage.
    — Tony Bradley, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of tool
Noun
  • Arakawa had brought the kelpie mix named Zinna home from a veterinary hospital on Feb. 9 after a procedure, Mendoza said.
    — Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Biodynamics is also proactive and adopts a similar mindset of working with the land, however, it is based on a specific set of ideas, and a fairly rigid procedure that has not been updated in 100 years.
    — John Mariani, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of procedure

Browse Nearby Words

mechanism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanism. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on mechanism

Nglish: Translation of mechanism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mechanism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All