mechanism

C1 Topic:Tools, Machines & Construction

US /ˈmik.ə.nɪ.zəm/ UK /ˈmik.ə.nɪ.zəm/ See IPA manual

Freq #7916

Meanings

1

noun
A part of a machine or a set of moving parts that does a particular job.

The locking mechanism on the door had jammed.
2

noun
A system or process by which something is done or achieved.

The treaty set up a mechanism for resolving disputes.
3

noun
A natural process or structure that works like a machine.

Scientists study the mechanism by which the brain stores memories.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · a system or process by... mechanics

3 noun · a natural process or... chemical mechanism

Word family

Forms mechanisms

Derived forms antimechanismautomechanismbiomechanismimmunomechanismmechanismicmechanistmechanisticmicromechanismnanomechanismneuromechanismpathomechanismpyromechanism

Related forms machine

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

transmission mechanism
the process by which an infectious agent passes from its source to a person

Noun + noun

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-der.? Ancient Greek μηχᾰνή (mēkhănḗ)der. New Latin mechanismuslbor. English mechanism Learned borrowing from New Latin mechanismus, from Ancient Greek μηχανή (mēkhanḗ, “machine”).

mechanismus la-new μηχανή Ancient Greek

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Tools, Machines & Construction Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# mechanism

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈmik.ə.nɪ.zəm/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈmik.ə.nɪ.zəm/
**Frequency rank:** 7916

## Meanings
1. A part of a machine or a set of moving parts that does a particular job.
2. A system or process by which something is done or achieved.
3. A natural process or structure that works like a machine.

## Examples
- The locking mechanism on the door had jammed.
- The treaty set up a mechanism for resolving disputes.
- Scientists study the mechanism by which the brain stores memories.

## Derived Forms
- antimechanism
- automechanism
- biomechanism
- immunomechanism
- mechanismic
- mechanist
- mechanistic
- micromechanism
- nanomechanism
- neuromechanism
- pathomechanism
- pyromechanism

## Related Forms
- machine

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: mechanismus
- Root: μηχανή

## Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-der.? Ancient Greek μηχᾰνή (mēkhănḗ)der. New Latin mechanismuslbor. English mechanism Learned borrowing from New Latin mechanismus, from Ancient Greek μηχανή (mēkhanḗ, “machine”).

## AI Etymology
Mechanism: The etymological chain runs Proto-Indo-European *megʰ- -> Ancient Greek μηχᾰνή (mēkhănḗ) -> New Latin mechanismus -> English mechanism. Learned borrowing from New Latin mechanismus, from Ancient Greek μηχανή (mēkhanḗ, “machine”). Important historical forms include New Latin mechanismus, and Ancient Greek μηχανή. In present-day use, it can mean a part of a machine or a set of moving parts that does a particular job, or a system or process by which something is done or achieved. Derived formations include antimechanism, automechanism, biomechanism, immunomechanism, mechanismic.

## Topics
- Tools, Machines & Construction
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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