Word family noun machine machinery machinist mechanic mechanics mechanism mechanization adjective mechanical mechanized mechanistic verb machine mechanize adverb mechanically mechanistically
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishmechanismmech‧a‧nis‧m /ˈmekənɪzəm/ ●●○ AWL noun [countable] 1 TPARTpart of a machine or a set of parts that does a particular job the brake mechanism a clock mechanism2 PLANa system that is intended to achieve something or deal with a problemmechanism for (doing) something existing mechanisms for decision-makingmechanism to do something The Army has set up mechanisms to help jobless ex-soldiers get work. → exchange rate mechanism3 MPAVOIDa system or a way of behaving that helps a living thing to avoid or protect itself from something difficult or dangerousdefence/control/survival mechanism When a person is ill, the body’s natural defence mechanisms come into operation.4 SYSTEMthe way that something worksmechanism of the mechanism of the brainExamples from the Corpus
mechanism• The guilds were weak and unassertive, functioning mainly as a mechanism for economic regulation.• Many schools have a mechanism which allows parents to inspect classroom materials.• The peace plan includes a mechanism to share power between all four parties.• The Drosophila studies have not solved the memory problem, but they have certainly supplemented our understanding of its biochemical mechanisms.• Walkup's argument: Well-planned development can pay for itself, without the burden of impact fees and similar financing mechanisms.• Unfortunately, the water had damaged the firing mechanism inside the rocket.• The free market system is an imperfect mechanism for achieving full employment.• The locking mechanism on the car door is broken.• The parties can also provide mechanisms for facilitating cooperation and regulating conflict among different parties.• The garlic press uses a screw mechanism to squeeze out juice and pulp.• The company has tested the mechanism on piglets reared by 300 sows on a farm near York.• the mechanism of the brain• The mechanism that raises the bridge was not working correctly.• It is quite possible that all three mechanisms might operate.• The point illustrates the true mechanisms underlying the onset of cancer.mechanism to do something• The accord also authorized the creation of a mechanism to monitor the observance of conventions banning biological weapons.• Establish the programs and mechanisms to provide critical prevention materials to state and local health departments and other partners and constituents.• Is there any mechanism to make a particular committee hang together?• The plan itself does serve as a binding mechanism to reduce ambiguity, but not too much should be expected of it.• The prince has suggested two possible constitutional mechanisms to achieve this end.• They prefer market mechanisms to bureaucratic mechanisms.• The most effective proven mechanism to achieve price stability is an independent central bank dedicated to that objective.• And adults do not need to be on the verge of shouting or crying for these mechanisms to be involved.defence/control/survival mechanism• The traditional budget ensures compliance with the conditions set out in the appropriations; that is, it acts as a control mechanism.• There is now a need for alternative control mechanisms in this new computing environment, one of which is proper personnel controls.• Cell transformation Cancer cells become tumorigenic as a result of multiple independent steps which subvert the normal growth control mechanisms described earlier.• Inflammation is another internal defence mechanism and is a reaction of living tissue to infection, injury and irritants.• The ideal candidate will have experience of protein purification and gene cloning and should have an appreciation of plant defence mechanisms.• Teams hold employees to high standards, acting as a more acceptable quality control mechanism than evaluations and orders from the top.• The sea slugs therefore use the defence mechanism of another creature for their own defence.• But where are the sensors and the thermostatic control mechanisms?From Longman Business Dictionarymechanismmech‧a‧nis‧m /ˈmekənɪzəm/ noun [countable] a system used to achieve something or deal with a problemThe increased lending can be done through existing lending mechanisms.There is a move to introduce free-market mechanisms in the airline sector.mechanism forAt present there is no satisfactory mechanism for settling disputes. → price mechanism 