Word
mech
/ˈmɛk/
Definition
n. a large robot that a person sits inside to control. You usually see these in science fiction movies, video games, or cartoons.
n. a large, piloted robotic vehicle, typically humanoid in form, featured prominently in science fiction and gaming contexts. Often used as a shorthand for 'mecha'.
Examples
“The pilot climbed into the mech to start the mission.”
“In many futuristic strategy games, players must customize their mech with heavy armor and long-range weapons to survive the battlefield.”
“The narrative explores the psychological bond between the pilot and the mech, suggesting that the machine is less a tool and more an extension of the operator's own nervous system.”
Examples
simple
“The pilot climbed into the mech to start the mission.”
contextual
“In many futuristic strategy games, players must customize their mech with heavy armor and long-range weapons to survive the battlefield.”
complex
“The narrative explores the psychological bond between the pilot and the mech, suggesting that the machine is less a tool and more an extension of the operator's own nervous system.”
Usage
Commonly used in science fiction and gaming subcultures; often functions as a collective noun for the genre itself when used as 'mecha'.
Real-World Examples
“It can lift objects in its hands, up to about 20 kilograms (44 pounds), but the big mech isn’t really suited for precise work.” “The mech suit first arrived in early August with the launch of Fortnite ’s tenth season.” Etymology
Ultimately from mechanical, mechanic, perhaps via mecha.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.