1
as in devices
a mechanical part or group of parts used to perform a specific task
The printer's paper feeding mechanism is jammed.
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2
as in methods
a series of actions used to achieve an end
She was stunned to learn that there was no mechanism in place to remedy the problem.
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Recent Examples of mechanisms
No mechanisms to adjust payments.
—
Brian Maass, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
Researchers began to identify the mechanisms that drive progressive kidney damage in the 1980s.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
Researchers have posed many hypotheses on the potential mechanisms by which PFAS levels might weaken bone health.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
Baked into our calendar and customs are endless mechanisms for marking time, for savoring, for taking stock, for starting fresh.
—Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Common plants have special mechanisms to help the seeds take a ride on the wind.
—Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
The system provides tools to plan, execute, and analyze information campaigns while incorporating compliance and oversight mechanisms.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
Parents explain how their estate plan is organized, why certain mechanisms (such as trusts) are used, and how assets will be managed over time.
—Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
Implementation of the plan is expected to be incremental, with financing tools including SANDAG Smart Growth Incentive Grants identified as potential funding mechanisms.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Brian Maass, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
Researchers began to identify the mechanisms that drive progressive kidney damage in the 1980s.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
Researchers have posed many hypotheses on the potential mechanisms by which PFAS levels might weaken bone health.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
Baked into our calendar and customs are endless mechanisms for marking time, for savoring, for taking stock, for starting fresh.
—Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Common plants have special mechanisms to help the seeds take a ride on the wind.
—Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
The system provides tools to plan, execute, and analyze information campaigns while incorporating compliance and oversight mechanisms.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
Parents explain how their estate plan is organized, why certain mechanisms (such as trusts) are used, and how assets will be managed over time.
—Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
Implementation of the plan is expected to be incremental, with financing tools including SANDAG Smart Growth Incentive Grants identified as potential funding mechanisms.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanisms
Noun
-
New Jersey this year passed a law requiring licenses, registration and insurance for the devices following an uptick in e-bike deaths.—
Alissa Gary,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
When terror suspects’ names appear in headlines — particularly when fireworks or homemade devices are mentioned — Weimer said the response inside Phantom Fireworks is almost automatic.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Proponents of prediction markets argue that putting financial stakes on outcomes leads to better forecasts than traditional methods.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
These materials are often relatively stiff, provide limited degrees of freedom, and typically require complex activation methods involving heating or magnetic fields, according to researchers.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Since stars in the M dwarf stars category frequently host compact multi-planet systems, the team also examined whether additional planets might be orbiting TOI-1080.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
-
In addition to leading secure and reliable technology systems, Cossey has a strong track record of building high-performing teams and successfully implementing large-scale initiatives.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Achieving a true quantum advantage in chemistry will likely require breakthroughs in both hardware and algorithms before quantum computers can surpass classical machines on these fundamental molecular calculations.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Attempts by aldermen to ban video gambling machines from their wards were struck down by colleagues yesterday in a rare rebuke of the control council members have over vice and other issues in their neighborhoods.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The judge in the case said CBP should use standard procedures to issue refunds and importers that paid IEEPA tariffs should not have to file lawsuits in order to guarantee that they’re paid out.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The college is reviewing coordination and notification procedures related to the program and will continue working with appropriate partners to support campus safety, according to Fields.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
According to the firm, portable counter-UAV solutions, such as laser dazzlers, are seen as promising tools for protecting military forces and critical infrastructure.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
This may stop Grammarly from reintroducing the feature or similar tools in the future.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The overlap in processes for public information release and state takeovers in Texas is a fairly new concept.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
-
No matter the cause—diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, autoimmune conditions, or something else—all kidney disease progresses over time, so scientists hypothesized that there must be common underlying processes.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mechanisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanisms. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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