mechanisms

noun

plural of mechanism
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mechanisms New corporate taxes, less work hours Others say the mechanisms already exist for policymakers to create a more equitable AI economy without resorting to untested ideas. — Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 26 July 2026 In the mixed economy, redistributive and regulatory mechanisms are united with a market economy. — Dave Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2026 Is this process effective, likely to succeed, with accountability mechanisms built in? — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 Some destroy targets by collision, while others carry small warheads or other defeat mechanisms. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026 This discipline, encompassing system prompts, tool integration, retrieval systems, safety mechanisms, and human oversight, is especially critical for AI providing mental health guidance. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 Some people might be more prone to activating an immune component known as IgE, for example, which tends to stimulate other immune mechanisms involved in an allergic reaction. — Alice Park, Time, 23 July 2026 That's because the mechanisms by which black holes devour matter to grow and then merge to create even more massive black holes should take at least 1 billion years to achieve supermassive status. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 July 2026 The hinge and swivel mechanisms provide 180 degrees of vertical and 360 degrees of horizontal movement. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanisms
  1. devices
  2. methods
  3. machines
  4. systems
  5. tools
  6. procedures
  7. processes
Noun
  • The accessibility features on smartphones (and other devices) can be game changers.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 28 July 2026
  • Especially for companies such as Samsung, which have been historically known for other capabilities such as hardware and devices, the investment in software, especially for healthcare, is an exciting signal for the industry.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of devices
Noun
  • More qubits could make the problem worse The team analyzed the adiabatic version of Grover’s search algorithm, a famous quantum algorithm that searches unsorted databases much faster than classical methods.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
  • Researchers are now evaluating various biomarkers as candidates for the development of better diagnostic methods or to define subgroups.
    — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
Definition of methods
Noun
  • Where technology ends and judgment begins Management research suggests that AI adoption today is not a simple choice between humans and machines.
    — Pooya Tabesh, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
  • Once inside, the suspects smashed video poker machines with a sledgehammer and pried open an ATM, but did not leave with any money.
    — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of machines
Noun
  • Planning Director Cori Reaume told the council that the specific use permits means city staff would consider noise, water systems and effects of data centers on adjacent properties.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • Data center facilities can be built or expanded at double or triple the pace of new electricity generations systems needed to serve them, PJM Interconnection, America’s largest grid operator, noted recently.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Definition of systems
Noun
  • While Wyscout is the industry leader for video scouting tools in football, Eyeball has, since forming in 2020, established itself as the youth football equivalent across the globe.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • In biology, for example, AI has compressed years of scientific labor into tools that can be shared across the world.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of tools
Noun
  • Tarter said RealTime Reservation keeps hotel and brand information separate and follows GDPR requirements, including procedures for deleting guest data.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Its results have sparked a flurry of activity as physicists try to determine whether the conflicting measurements are a side effect of different experimental procedures, or a sign that new particles are popping up after all.
    — Matt von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 29 July 2026
Definition of procedures
Noun
  • Name the processes that stop if one vendor changes pricing, terms or availability.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Researchers have conducted one of the most comprehensive studies, published recently in Nature Mental Health, on how the autistic brain processes faces.
    — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
Definition of processes

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Cite this Entry

“Mechanisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanisms. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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