mechanic

1 of 2

adjective

me·​chan·​ic mi-ˈka-nik 

1

: of or relating to manual work or skill

2

: mechanical sense 3a

mechanic

2 of 2

noun

1

: a manual worker : artisan

2

: machinist

especially : one who repairs machines

Synonyms

Adjective

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

Examples of mechanic in a Sentence

Adjective

the snapping of the handcuffs was followed by a mechanic reading of the suspect's rights

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Harroun installed it with a bracket above the dashboard rather than have a mechanic ride in the race with him, as was the custom of the day. —George Petras, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024

When Part 4 was released in August 2023, mechanic Bennie was losing his garage. —Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Apr. 2024

Noun

And the dress-up mechanics added a layer of novelty that further enhanced the game and my enjoyment. —Ash Parrish, The Verge, 14 Dec. 2024

But unlike the hair, feathers and scales of most other vertebrates, crocodile head scales uniquely develop as a result of tissue mechanics, not genetics, researchers suggest. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, probably from Middle French mecanique, adjective & noun, from Latin mechanicus, from Greek mēchanikos, from mēchanē

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mechanic

1 of 2 adjective

me·​chan·​ic mi-ˈkan-ik 

: of or relating to work performed by hand or skill at such work

mechanic arts

mechanic

2 of 2 noun

: a person who works with his or her hands

especially : a repairer of machines