me·chan·i·cal
mi-ˈka-ni-kəl 
1
a(1)
: of or relating to machinery (see machinery sense 1) or tools
mechanical applications of science
a mechanical genius
mechanical aptitude
(2)
: produced or operated by a machine or tool
mechanical power
a mechanical refrigerator
a mechanical saw
b
: of or relating to manual operations
2
: of or relating to artisans (see artisan sense 1) or machinists
the mechanical trades
3
a
: done as if by machine : seemingly uninfluenced by the mind or emotions : automatic
busy in a leisurely mechanical way—
Douglas Stewart
Douglas Stewart
b
: of or relating to technicalities or petty matters
nor was any capacity shown for anything above a mechanical handling of the matter—H. O. Taylor
H. O. Taylor4
a
: relating to, governed by, or in accordance with the principles of mechanics
mechanical energy
b
: relating to the quantitative relations of force and matter
mechanical pressure of wind on a tower
5
: caused by, resulting from, or relating to a process that involves a purely physical as opposed to a chemical or biological change or process
mechanical erosion of rock
1
: a piece of finished copy consisting typically of type proofs and artwork positioned and mounted for photomechanical reproduction
2
obsolete
: mechanic sense 1
Examples of mechanical in a Sentence
Adjective
The flight was delayed because of mechanical problems.
I was impressed by her mechanical know-how.
She gave a mechanical reply.
Copying down the numbers is a boring and mechanical job.
The actor gave a stiff and mechanical performance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Choose your adventure and pick three or pick six from activities not included with admission like apple blasters, paint ball, bungee trampoline, rock wall, mechanical bull, fountain drink, fudge, snow cone, animal feed and cookies.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
Krutsch said the building's mechanicals and electronics went undamaged in the storm because they are elevated above the floodplain.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mechanical
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Adjective
Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Choose your adventure and pick three or pick six from activities not included with admission like apple blasters, paint ball, bungee trampoline, rock wall, mechanical bull, fountain drink, fudge, snow cone, animal feed and cookies.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
Unlike the Volkswagen floorpan and mechanicals of the Beetle, on which the Type 14 was based, the bodies were a premium effort from coachbuilder Karmann, maker of some Porsche 356 and 911/912 bodies as well.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
Krutsch said the building's mechanicals and electronics went undamaged in the storm because they are elevated above the floodplain.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mechanical
Cite this Entry
“Mechanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanical. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
mechanical
adjective
me·chan·i·cal
mi-ˈkan-i-kəl
1
: relating to the quantitative relations of force and matter
mechanical pressure exerted by the bubbles in the tissues—H. G. Armstrong
H. G. Armstrong2
: caused by, resulting from, or relating to physical as opposed to biological or chemical processes or change
mechanical injury
mechanical asphyxiation
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