mechanism in WordNet English dictionary

1. the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
   "he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions"
   mechanism  chemical mechanism 
   
2. the technical aspects of doing something
   "a mechanism of social control"; "mechanisms of communication"; "the mechanics of prose style"
   mechanism  mechanics 
   
3. device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function
   mechanism 
   
4. (philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes
   mechanism 
   
5. a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function
   "the mechanism of the ear"; "the mechanism of infection"
   mechanism