mechanical

1 of 2

adjective

me·​chan·​i·​cal mi-ˈka-ni-kəl 

1

a(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

3

a

: 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

4

a

: 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

mechanically

mi-ˈka-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

mechanical

2 of 2

noun

1

: a piece of finished copy consisting typically of type proofs and artwork positioned and mounted for photomechanical reproduction

2

obsolete : mechanic sense 1

Synonyms

Adjective

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

Choose the Right Synonym for mechanical

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Despite the best efforts of officers and the relentless, mechanical drive of war, peace still sprung up organically whenever the season allowed. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024

Different sub-sets of the population view items differently at auction, and the grouping of people who are prepared to own an $800,000 mechanical artwork are all part-historian and recognize the roots of America's unique motorcycle culture. —Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024

Noun

Separated from this finished space is a large storage room with the home’s mechanicals and a separate workshop. —James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 22 Dec. 2024

Sheehan said his company inspects everything from the roof to the rafters to the mechanicals. —Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing mechanical

• mechanical advantage
• mechanical drawing
• mechanical engineering
• mechanical pencil
• mechanical ventilation
• mechanical ventilator

Kids Definition

mechanical

adjective

me·​chan·​i·​cal

mi-ˈkan-i-kəl

1

a

: of or relating to machinery

mechanical skill

b

: made or operated by a machine or machinery

a mechanical toy

2

: done as if by machine : impersonal

gave a mechanical reply

3

: relating to or according with the principles of mechanics

mechanically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Medical Definition

mechanical

adjective

me·​chan·​i·​cal mi-ˈkan-i-kəl 

1

: relating to the quantitative relations of force and matter

mechanical pressure exerted by the bubbles in the tissues

—H. G. Armstrong

2

: caused by, resulting from, or relating to physical as opposed to biological or chemical processes or change

mechanical injury

mechanical asphyxiation

mechanically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb