Definitions
01mechanical parts
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a set of moving parts inside a machine that perform a specific task.
n. a system of interconnected parts, such as gears or levers, designed to convert motion or control power within a machine.
日本語:機構※
“The locking mechanism on the front door is broken and needs to be replaced.”
“The clockmaker spent hours cleaning the intricate mechanism, ensuring that every tiny gear turned without friction.”
Usage
Often used with 'locking', 'firing', or 'internal'.
02a process or system
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Academic
n. a way of doing something or a process that makes something happen.
n. a natural or established process by which something takes place or is brought about.
日本語:仕組み※
“The body has a natural mechanism for healing small cuts on the skin.”
“Economists are studying the mechanism by which interest rate changes influence consumer spending in the long term.”
Usage
Commonly followed by the preposition 'for' or 'by which'.
03coping or defense
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine
n. a way that your mind deals with difficult or painful feelings.
n. an unconscious mental process used to protect oneself from anxiety or emotional pain.
“Using humor can be a helpful coping mechanism when you are feeling stressed.”
“Psychologists often identify denial as a primary defense mechanism used by patients to avoid confronting traumatic memories.”
Usage
Almost always appears in the phrases 'coping mechanism' or 'defense mechanism'.
04philosophical theory
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Philosophy Academic · Formal
n. the belief that everything in nature can be explained by physical causes.
n. the philosophical doctrine that all natural phenomena can be explained by physical causes and mechanical laws.
Español:mecanicismo
“Early scientists often viewed the universe through the lens of mechanism.”
“The rise of mechanism in the seventeenth century challenged traditional views that attributed purpose or soul to natural objects.”
Teaching tip
This sense is highly specialized; in general conversation, 'mechanism' almost always refers to a physical part or a process.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “mechanism” in context.
Verb
01. describe mechanism
“The scientist was asked to describe the mechanism by which the drug affects the brain.”
verb + noun
02. identify mechanism
“Researchers are working to identify the mechanism responsible for the cell's growth.”
verb + noun
03. introduce mechanism
“The government plans to introduce a new mechanism for monitoring carbon emissions.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. actual mechanism
“While we see the results, the actual mechanism of the reaction is still unknown.”
adj + noun
05. direct mechanism
“There is no direct mechanism linking the two events in this study.”
adj + noun
06. effective mechanism
“The school needs an effective mechanism for dealing with student complaints.”
adj + noun
07. important mechanism
“Natural selection is an important mechanism of evolutionary change.”
adj + noun
08. internal mechanism
“The clock's internal mechanism was damaged when it fell off the wall.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. mechanism for
“The body has a natural mechanism for regulating its temperature.”
noun + prep
10. mechanism responsible
11. mechanism direct
12. mechanism identify
Real-World Examples
“The Government has activated its emergency response mechanisms and continues to assess damage and needs in affected areas.” “The causes of PMDD are still being untangled, and there could be many mechanisms at play.” Etymology
Learned borrowing from New Latin mechanismus, from Ancient Greek μηχανή (mēkhanḗ, “machine”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/mechanism
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0