mechanism

noun ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about mechanism at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

1. The atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction.

   he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions

2. The technical aspects of doing something.

   a mechanism of social control

3. A natural object resembling a machine in structure or function.

   the mechanism of the ear