mechanical
muh-KA-nih-kuhl
Mechanical (adj) means relating to machines or the physical forces and motion they involve. Example: “The factory relies on mechanical arms to assemble the parts.”
adj
1
Relating to machines or the physical forces and motion they involve.
"The factory relies on mechanical arms to assemble the parts."
"A mechanical fault in the lift left us waiting for an engineer."
"My brother studied mechanical engineering and now designs pumps."
2
Done automatically or without real thought, as if performed by a machine.
"His apology sounded mechanical, like he'd said it a hundred times before."
"She gave a mechanical smile and carried on working without looking up."
"The guide's mechanical speech made the tour feel rather dull."
How to use mechanical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to machines or machine-like movement, or done in a robotic, thoughtless way.
Common pairings
mechanical engineer
mechanical failure
mechanical response
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Word forms
- Plural
- mechanicals
- Comparative
- more mechanical
- Superlative
- most mechanical
Fill the gap
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The factory relies on _____ arms to assemble the parts.
Etymology
From Middle English mechanical, from Old French mecanique, from Latin mechanicus, from Greek mēkhanikós.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonmechanical
Related words
Rhymes for mechanical
See all rhymes for mechanical →Frequently asked questions
What does “mechanical” mean?
The word “mechanical” means relating to machines or the physical forces and motion they involve. In plain terms, relating to machines or machine-like movement, or done in a robotic, thoughtless way.
How do you pronounce “mechanical”?
“Mechanical” is pronounced muh-KA-nih-kuhl (/məˈkænəkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mechanical” in a sentence?
Here is “mechanical” used in a sentence: “The factory relies on mechanical arms to assemble the parts.”
What part of speech is “mechanical”?
“Mechanical” is an adjective.
Where does the word “mechanical” come from?
The word “mechanical” comes from Latin. From Middle English mechanical, from Old French mecanique, from Latin mechanicus, from Greek mēkhanikós.
Is “mechanical” a common word?
“Mechanical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “mechanical” have?
“Mechanical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to machines or the physical forces and motion they involve.
What is the difference between "mechanical" and "automatic"?
"Mechanical" relates to machines and the physical forces and motion they involve, or to actions done without real thought. "Automatic" means happening by itself without direct human control. An action can be mechanical, in the sense of routine and unthinking, without being automatic in the machine sense.
What is the difference between "mechanical" and "electrical"?
"Mechanical" refers to machines and the physical forces, moving parts, and motion involved. "Electrical" refers specifically to electricity and electric current. A mechanical fault involves moving parts, while an electrical fault involves wiring or power.
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