mechanism

noun

(within a machine or machinery) Any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power.

Any combination of cams, gears, links, belts, chains and logical mechanical elements.

A group of entities, such as objects, that interact together.

Any process of, or system designed to manage useful energy conversion.

A mental, physical, or chemical process.

(philosophy) The theory that all natural phenomena can be explained by physical causes.

Roots

mechanemechan- · Greek · machine, device

Synonyms for mechanism

mechanicsn levern engineryn apparatusn systemn devicen servomechanismn methodn contrivancen machineryn

Synonyms & related words for mechanism

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of mechanism — including mechanics, lever, enginery, apparatus, system, device. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to mechanism

Explore words related to mechanism — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include telemechanics, whirler, mechanist, mechanistically, mechanistic, linkwork, internals, reciprocator. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for mechanism

Common synonyms for mechanism include mechanics, lever, enginery, apparatus, system, device, servomechanism, method — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does mechanism come from?

The word mechanism breaks down into one root of Greek origin: the root mechan-, from Greek mechane (“machine, device”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.