# mechanism

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmik.ə.nɪ.zəm/ · frequency rank #4,540

## Definitions
1. Any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power.
2. Any combination of cams, gears, links, belts, chains and logical mechanical elements.
3. A group of entities, such as objects, that interact together.
4. A mental, physical, or chemical process.
5. Any process of, or system designed to manage useful energy conversion.
6. The theory that all natural phenomena can be explained by physical causes.

## Etymology
Learned borrowing from New Latin mechanismus, from Ancient Greek μηχανή (mēkhanḗ, “machine”).

## Easily confused with
- **mechanisms** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mechanism-vs-mechanisms)
- **mechanic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mechanic-vs-mechanism)
- **mechanics** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mechanics-vs-mechanism)

## Common misspellings (14)
`emchanism`, `mcehanism`, `mecahnism`, `mecchanism`, `mechainsm`, `mechanims`, `mechanismm`, `mechanissm`, `mechannism`, `mechansim`, `mechhanism`, `mechnaism`, `mehcanism`, `mmechanism`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/mechanism