mechanism

/ˌmɛkəˈnɪzəm/

/ˈmɛkənɪzəm/

Other forms: mechanisms

Use the word mechanism to describe a process that has been set up to accomplish a particular goal. If you’ve set up a method for dealing with your sister when she annoys you, then you have a mechanism in place for establishing peace with your sister.

The word mechanism came into the English language in the seventeenth century by way of the Latin word mechanismus, which traces back to the Greek word mekhane, meaning “device" or "means.” Mechanism still carries with it the meaning of “device” and can be used to describe a machine, but nowadays you are more likely to hear it used to describe a process for getting something done, such as "a mechanism for generating revenue" or "a crisis-resolution mechanism."

Definitions of mechanism

1. noun

   device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function
   types:

   action, action mechanism

   the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism

   actuator

   a mechanism that puts something into automatic action

   automaton, bot, golem, robot

   a mechanism that can move automatically

   axis, axis of rotation

   the center around which something rotates

   carriage

   a machine part that carries something else

   cartridge ejector, ejector

   a mechanism in a firearm that ejects the empty shell case after firing

   cartridge extractor, cartridge remover, extractor

   a mechanism in a firearm that pulls an empty shell case out of the chamber and passes it to the ejector

   clockwork

   any mechanism of geared wheels that is driven by a coiled spring; resembles the works of a mechanical clock

   control, controller

   a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine

   cooling, cooling system

   a mechanism for keeping something cool

   delayed action

   a mechanism that automatically delays the release of a camera shutter for a fixed period of time so that the photographer can appear in the picture

   drive

   a mechanism by which force or power is transmitted in a machine

   drive line, drive line system

   mechanism that transmits power from the engine to the driving wheels of a motor vehicle

   fail-safe

   a mechanism capable of returning to a safe state in case there is a failure or malfunction

   film advance

   a mechanism for advancing film in a camera or projector

   gear, gear mechanism

   a mechanism for transmitting motion for some specific purpose (as the steering gear of a vehicle)

   homing device

   the mechanism in a guided missile that guides it toward its objective

   hydraulic system

   a mechanism operated by the resistance offered or the pressure transmitted when a liquid is forced through a small opening or tube

   ignition, ignition system

   the mechanism that ignites the fuel in an internal-combustion engine

   lock

   a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun

   mechanical device

   mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles

   radiator

   a mechanism consisting of a metal honeycomb through which hot fluids circulate; heat is transferred from the fluid through the honeycomb to the airstream that is created either by the motion of the vehicle or by a fan

   rotating mechanism

   a mechanism that rotates

   steering linkage

   mechanism consisting of a system of rods and levers connected to the front wheels of a motor vehicle; the steering gear pushes it left or right which swivels the front wheels, causing the vehicle to turn

   steering mechanism, steering system

   a mechanism by which something is steered (especially a motor vehicle)

   tape drive, tape transport, transport

   a mechanism that transports magnetic tape across the read/write heads of a tape playback/recorder

   whirler

   a revolving mechanism

   innards, workings, works

   the internal mechanism of a device

   air conditioner, air conditioning

   a system that keeps air cool and dry

   android, humanoid, mechanical man

   an automaton that resembles a human being

   blade, vane

   flat surface that rotates and pushes against air or water

   broadcaster, spreader

   a mechanical device for scattering something, such as seed, fertilizer, or sand, in all directions

   bumper

   a mechanical device consisting of bars at either end of a vehicle to absorb shock and prevent serious damage

   bumper guard

   vertical bars attached to a bumper to prevent locking bumpers with another vehicle

   cam

   a rotating disk shaped to convert circular into linear motion

   carburetor, carburettor

   mixes air with gasoline vapor prior to explosion

   circle, round

   any circular or rotating mechanism

   compressor

   a mechanical device that compresses gasses

   coolant system

   a cooling system that uses a fluid to transfer heat from one place to another

   cooling tower

   a cooling system used in industry to cool hot water (by partial evaporation) before reusing it as a coolant

   copyholder

   mechanical device used in printing; holds the copy for the compositor

   coupler, coupling

   a mechanical device that serves to connect the ends of adjacent objects

   cruise control

   control mechanism for keeping an automobile at a set speed

   crimper, curler, hair curler, roller

   a mechanical device consisting of a cylindrical tube around which the hair is wound to curl it

   dial

   the control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning

   diaphragm, stop

   a mechanical device in a camera that controls size of aperture of the lens

   dicer

   a mechanical device used for dicing food

   disk controller

   (computer science) a circuit or chip that translates commands into a form that can control a hard disk drive

   electromechanical device

   a mechanical device that is operated by electricity

   escapement

   mechanical device that regulates movement

   evaporative cooler

   a cooling system that cools by evaporation

   Ferris wheel

   a vertical rotating mechanism consisting of a large wheel with suspended seats that remain upright as the wheel rotates; provides a ride at an amusement park

   first, first gear, low, low gear

   the lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle; used to start a car moving

   fusee, fusee drive

   a spirally grooved spindle in a clock that counteracts the diminishing power of the uncoiling mainspring

   gearset

   a set of gears

   gear lever, gearshift, gearstick, shifter

   a mechanical device for engaging and disengaging gears

   governor, regulator

   a control that maintains a steady speed in a machine (as by controlling the supply of fuel)

   grab

   a mechanical device for gripping an object

   firing mechanism, gunlock

   the action that ignites the charge in a firearm

   gyro, gyroscope

   rotating mechanism in the form of a universally mounted spinning wheel that offers resistance to turns in any direction

   handwheel

   control consisting of a wheel whose rim serves as the handle by which a part is operated

   helm

   steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered

   high, high gear

   a forward gear with a gear ratio that gives the greatest vehicle velocity for a given engine speed

   claw, hook

   a mechanical device that is curved or bent to suspend or hold or pull something

   hydraulic transmission, hydraulic transmission system

   a transmission that depends on a hydraulic system

   joystick

   a manual control consisting of a vertical handle that can move freely in two directions; used as an input device to computers or to devices controlled by computers

   machine, simple machine

   a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point

   movement

   the driving and regulating parts of a mechanism (as of a watch or clock)

   pantograph

   mechanical device used to copy a figure or plan on a different scale

   park

   a gear position that acts as a parking brake

   piano action

   action consisting of a system of levers that move a felt hammer to strike the strings when a key is depressed

   piston, plunger

   mechanical device that has a plunging or thrusting motion

   pin, pivot

   axis consisting of a short shaft that supports something that turns

   power steering, power-assisted steering

   automotive steering where engineer power amplifies the torque applied to the steering wheel

   propeller, propellor

   a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water

   pump

   a mechanical device that moves fluid or gas by pressure or suction

   pump action, slide action

   action mechanism in a modern rifle or shotgun; a back and forward motion of a sliding lever ejects the empty shell case and cocks the firearm and loads a new round

   rachet, ratch, ratchet

   mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction

   auto-changer, changer, record changer

   an automatic mechanical device on a record player that causes new records to be played without manual intervention

   refrigeration system

   a cooling system for chilling or freezing (usually for preservative purposes)

   regulator

   any of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.

   reverse, reverse gear

   the gears by which the motion of a machine can be reversed

   ride

   a mechanical device that you ride for amusement or excitement

   positioner, rotary actuator

   (computer science) the actuator that moves a read/write head to the proper data track

   rotor

   rotating mechanism consisting of an assembly of rotating airfoils

   rotor head, rotor shaft

   the axis around which the major rotor of a helicopter turns

   rudder

   (nautical) steering mechanism consisting of a hinged vertical plate mounted at the stern of a vessel

   second, second gear

   the gear that has the second lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle

   seeder

   a mechanical device that sows grass seed or grain evenly over the ground

   shutter

   a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure

   binding, ski binding

   one of a pair of mechanical devices that are attached to a ski and that will grip a ski boot; the bindings should release in case of a fall

   splicer

   a mechanical device for joining two pieces of paper or film or magnetic tape

   splint

   an orthopedic mechanical device used to immobilize and protect a part of the body (as a broken leg)

   sprinkler

   mechanical device that attaches to a garden hose for watering lawn or garden

   stator, stator coil

   mechanical device consisting of the stationary part of a motor or generator in or around which the rotor revolves

   steering gear

   a gear that couples the steering wheel to the steering linkage of a motor vehicle

   stoker

   a mechanical device for stoking a furnace

   stretcher

   a mechanical device used to make something larger (as shoes or gloves) by stretching it

   striker

   the part of a mechanical device that strikes something

   supply chamber

   a mechanical device for holding something and supplying it as needed

   swing

   mechanical device used as a plaything to support someone swinging back and forth

   electric switch, electrical switch, switch

   control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit

   third, third gear

   the third from the lowest forward ratio gear in the gear box of a motor vehicle

   pickup, pickup arm, tone arm

   mechanical device consisting of a light balanced arm that carries the cartridge

   transmission, transmission system

   the gears that transmit power from an automobile engine via the driveshaft to the live axle

   trap

   a device to hurl clay pigeons into the air for trapshooters

   typewriter carriage

   a carriage for carrying a sheet of paper

   valve

   control consisting of a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluid

   vibrator

   mechanical device that produces vibratory motion; used for massage

   vibrator

   a mechanical device that vibrates

   voting machine

   a mechanical device for recording and counting votes mechanically

   vane, weather vane, weathervane, wind vane

   mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind

   wheelwork

   mechanical device including an arrangement of wheel in a machine (especially a train of gears)

   winder

   mechanical device around which something can be wound

   key, winder

   mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)

   windscreen wiper, windshield wiper, wiper, wiper blade

   a mechanical device that cleans the windshield

   neutral

   a disengaged position, as of gears

   type of:

   device

   an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
2. noun

   a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function
   “the mechanism of the ear”

   “the mechanism of infection”

   types:

   barrier

   anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access

   transmission mechanism

   any mechanism whereby an infectious agent is spread from a reservoir to a human being

   biological clock

   an innate mechanism in living organisms that controls the periodicity of many physiological functions

   airborne transmission

   a transmission mechanism in the which the infectious agent is spread as an aerosol and usually enters a person through the respiratory tract

   bar

   a submerged (or partly submerged) ridge in a river or along a shore

   blood-brain barrier

   a mechanism that creates a barrier between brain tissues and circulating blood; serves to protect the central nervous system

   curtain

   any barrier to communication or vision

   direct transmission

   a transmission mechanism in which the infectious agent is transferred directly into the body via touching or biting or kissing or sexual intercourse or by droplets entering the eye or nose or mouth

   indirect transmission

   a transmission mechanism in which the infectious agent is transferred to the person by a fomite of vector

   type of:

   natural object

   an object occurring naturally; not made by man
3. noun

   the technical aspects of doing something
   “a mechanism of social control”

   “mechanisms of communication”

   synonyms: mechanics

   type of:

   carrying into action, carrying out, execution, performance

   the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it
4. noun

   the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
   “he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions”

   synonyms: chemical mechanism

   types:

   biochemical mechanism

   a chemical mechanism involved in vital processes occurring in living organisms

   type of:

   chemical action, chemical change, chemical process

   (chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved
5. noun

   (philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes
   type of:

   philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory

   a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy