1 mechanical | Definition of mechanical
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

mechanical

adjective
meĀ·​chanĀ·​iĀ·​cal | \ mi-Ėˆka-ni-kəl How to pronounce mechanical (audio) \

Definition of mechanical

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : of or relating to machinery (see machinery sense 1) or tools mechanical applications of science a mechanical genius mechanical aptitude
(2) : produced or operated by a machine or tool mechanical power a mechanical refrigerator a mechanical saw
b : of or relating to manual operations
2 : of or relating to artisans (see artisan sense 1) or machinists the mechanical trades
3a : done as if by machine : seemingly uninfluenced by the mind or emotions : automatic busy in a leisurely mechanical way— Douglas Stewart
b : of or relating to technicalities or petty matters nor was any capacity shown for anything above a mechanical handling of the matter— H. O. Taylor
4a : relating to, governed by, or in accordance with the principles of mechanics mechanical energy
b : relating to the quantitative relations of force and matter mechanical pressure of wind on a tower
5 : caused by, resulting from, or relating to a process that involves a purely physical as opposed to a chemical or biological change or process mechanical erosion of rock

mechanical

noun

Definition of mechanical (Entry 2 of 2)

1 obsolete : mechanic sense 1
2 : a piece of finished copy consisting typically of type proofs and artwork positioned and mounted for photomechanical reproduction
Other Words from mechanical Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about mechanical

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from mechanical

Adjective

mechanically \ mi-​Ėˆka-​ni-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce mechanically (audio) \ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for mechanical

Synonyms: Adjective

automatic, instinctive, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, robotic, spontaneous

Antonyms: Adjective

nonmechanical

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Choose the Right Synonym for mechanical

Adjective

spontaneous, impulsive, instinctive, automatic, mechanical mean acting or activated without deliberation. spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness. a spontaneous burst of applause impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment. impulsive acts of violence instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will. blinking is an instinctive reaction automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response. his denial was automatic mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response. a mechanical teaching method

Examples of mechanical in a Sentence

Adjective

 The flight was delayed because of mechanical problems. I was impressed by her mechanical know-how. She gave a mechanical reply. Copying down the numbers is a boring and mechanical job. The actor gave a stiff and mechanical performance.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 Others have developed severe, progressive lung disease, and have required ongoing mechanical breathing assistance. — NBC News, "Michigan bans flavored e-cigarettes to curb youth vaping epidemic," 4 Sep. 2019 The footage shows the Decepticon siphoning power from the Allspark, the life and power source of these mechanical shape-shifters. — Nick Romano, EW.com, "Transformers: Cyberverse season 2 trailer unites Autobots and Decepticons," 3 Sep. 2019 Fortunately, the Yankees have the relief corps on the 25-man roster (plus All-Star Dellin Betances ramping up his rehab) necessary to stash Rosenthal away in Triple A and, hopefully, fix whatever mechanical issues the 29-year-old pitcher has. — Bradford William Davis, courant.com, "Yankees take flier on former All-Star Trevor Rosenthal," 20 Aug. 2019 Loud mechanical pounding breaks the low hum of running machinery with a uniform thump, thump, thump. — Fortune, "Someday, Apple May Make Your New iPhone Out of Pieces of Your Old iPhone," 19 Aug. 2019 The town already has a Dahlia Drive on the south side, and at least one mechanical box has been painted with a dahlia. — Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Indianapolis Star, "The Hoosier Gardener: Dahlia revival hits home in Zionsville," 15 Aug. 2019 Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Play and Pandora have filed their appeal of the Copyright Royalty Board's mechanical rate determination, which will see music publishers and writers enjoy a 44% rate increase by 2023. — Ed Christman, Billboard, "'Confusion & Inconsistency': Spotify, Amazon Make Case Against Royalty Board Rate Determination," 15 Aug. 2019 The meter that is being replaced is mechanical, and its performance deteriorates over time (because of internal mechanisms like) valves and seals. — Jennifer Bolton, Houston Chronicle, "Whatā€™s going on with Pearland water meters?," 8 Aug. 2019 But the reality is, some of putting out a daily print newspaper is mechanical. — Lizzie O'leary, The Atlantic, "ā€œI Know People Want a Richer, More Thoughtful Explanation.ā€," 7 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mechanical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of mechanical

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for mechanical

mechanical

adjective
How to pronounce mechanical (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of mechanical

: of or relating to machinery
: having or using machinery
disapproving : happening or done without thought or without any effort to be different or interesting

See the full definition for mechanical in the English Language Learners Dictionary

mechanical

adjective
meĀ·​chanĀ·​iĀ·​cal | \ mi-Ėˆka-ni-kəl How to pronounce mechanical (audio) \

Kids Definition of mechanical

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!