mechanize

verb

mech·​a·​nize ˈme-kə-ˌnīz 

mechanized; mechanizing

transitive verb

1

: to make mechanical

especially : to make automatic or routine

2

a

: to equip with machinery especially to replace human or animal labor

b

: to equip with armed and armored motor vehicles

c

: to provide with mechanical power

3

: to produce by or as if by machine

mechanizable

ˈme-kə-ˌnī-zə-bəl 

adjective

mechanization

ˌme-kə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

mechanizer

ˈme-kə-ˌnī-zər 

noun

Examples of mechanize in a Sentence

an invention that helped to mechanize agriculture

Recent Examples on the Web

Leibniz’s other pitches to the Duke included a system of disaster insurance, techniques for mechanizing silk production, various medicinal remedies, improved watches, and designs for a novel kind of wagon. —Anthony Gottlieb, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025

The industrial revolution mechanized agriculture, pushing workers off farms and into cities. —Steve Lohr, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024

In this interview, Martin talks about that barbecue style, his new show launching next month, and what is lost when cooking gets mechanized. —Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 25 Apr. 2024

But for many types of crops, that isn’t possible: USDA research shows that demand for H-2A workers boomed from 2010-2019 in sectors like fruit and vegetable production, which require hand labor that isn’t easily mechanized. —Melina Walling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mechanize

verb

mech·​a·​nize ˈmek-ə-ˌnīz 

mechanized; mechanizing

1

: to make mechanical

especially : to make automatic

2

a

: to equip with machinery especially to replace human or animal labor

b

: to equip with armed and armored motor vehicles

mechanized infantry

mechanization

ˌmek-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

mechanizer

ˈmek-ə-ˌnī-zər 

noun