A mechanical device has parts that move when it is working, often using power from an engine or from electricity.
...a small mechanical device that taps out the numbers.
...the oldest working mechanical clock in the world.
Most mechanical devices require oil as a lubricant.
Synonyms: automatic, automated, mechanized, power-driven More Synonyms of mechanical
mechanically (mɪkænɪkli)adverb [ADVERB with verb]
The air was circulated mechanically.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Mechanical means relating to machines and engines and the way they work.
...mechanical engineering.
The company undertakes mechanical work on all types of cars.
The train had stopped due to a mechanical problem.
mechanicallyadverb [ADVERB adjective/-ed]
The car was mechanically sound, he decided.
3. adjective
If you describe a person as mechanical, you mean they are naturally good at understanding how machines work.
He was a very mechanical person, who knew a lot about sound.
I'm not mechanical like my father; I have to follow the instructions.
mechanicallyadverb [ADVERB -ed]
I'm not mechanically minded.
4. adjective
If you describe someone's action as mechanical, you mean that they do it automatically, without thinking about it.
It is real prayer, and not mechanical repetition.
Her retort was mechanical.
Synonyms: unthinking, routine, automatic, matter-of-fact More Synonyms of mechanical
mechanicallyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
He nodded mechanically, his eyes fixed on the girl.
mechanical in British English
(mɪˈkænɪkəl)
adjective
1.
made, performed, or operated by or as if by a machine or machinery
a mechanical process
2.
concerned with machines or machinery
3.
relating to or controlled or operated by physical forces
4.
of or concerned with mechanics
5.
(of a gesture, etc) automatic; lacking thought, feeling, etc
6. philosophy
accounting for phenomena by physically determining forces
7.
(of paper, such as newsprint) made from pulp that has been mechanically ground and contains impurities
noun
8. printing another name for camera-ready copy
9. archaic another word for mechanic (sense 2)
Derived forms
mechanicalism (meˈchanicalism)
noun
mechanically (meˈchanically)
adverb
mechanicalness (meˈchanicalness)
noun
mechanical in American English
(məˈkænɪkəl)
adjective
1.
having to do with, or having skill in the use of, machinery or tools
2.
produced or operated by machinery or a mechanism
3.
of, in accordance with, or using the principles and terminology of, the science of mechanics
4.
automatic, as if from force of habit; machinelike; lacking spontaneity, expression, warmth, etc.
to greet someone in a mechanical way
5. Archaic
of manual labor or manual laborers
noun
6. Printing
an assemblage of type proofs, pictures, etc. mounted on a sheet of paper, to be photographed for making into a plate
Derived forms
mechanically (meˈchanically)
adverb
Examples of 'mechanical' in a sentence
mechanical
We stop looking at mechanical efficiency and seek less tangible things.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The loads taken on by them are all worked out by mechanical engineering techniques.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Another was cheered by onlookers as she tried to steer a mechanical horse.
The Sun (2014)
No other mechanical devices and no instruments were discovered.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is the mechanical problem of the neck of the womb being weak.
The Sun (2011)
The front seats automatically adjust and your seatbelt is actually passed to you by a mechanical arm.
The Sun (2014)
This cannot be accomplished by mechanical means.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
Most of the mechanical figures work in the automotive and electronics sectors.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The deserted vessel appeared to have a mechanical problem.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He reported that a mechanical horse had been purchased to enable the younger jockeys to hone their skills.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
These days, it provides legal justification for tearing the land apart with giant mechanical diggers.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Remember the giant mechanical elephant that appeared in London a few years ago?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They were said to include'a mechanical arm and something that resembled a beast with five fingers.
The Sun (2015)
That was when quartz clocks and electrical clocks were becoming so cheap that the need for the people to service mechanical clocks dried up.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I keep hunting through the mechanical jungle, looking for the human beings that lurk there.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was in sound mechanical condition, although doubts remained as to whether its automatic landing equipment was compatible with Russian military guidance systems.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
THE world's oldest continually working mechanical clock is to finally get an electric motor after 620 years.
The Sun (2010)
Perhaps the most important design feature of the budget laptop, though, is its low power needs and the ability to be powered by mechanical means.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
mechanical
British English: mechanical /mɪˈkænɪkl/ ADJECTIVE
A mechanical device has moving parts and uses power in order to do a particular task.
...mechanical parts for trains.
American English: mechanical
Arabic: مِيكَانِيكِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: mecânico
Chinese: 机械的
Croatian: mehanički
Czech: mechanický
Danish: mekanisk
Dutch: mechanisch
European Spanish: mecánico
Finnish: mekaaninen
French: mécanique
German: mechanisch
Greek: μηχανικός
Italian: meccanico
Japanese: 機械の
Korean: 기계적인
Norwegian: mekanisk
Polish: mechaniczny
European Portuguese: mecânico
Romanian: mecanic
Russian: механический
Latin American Spanish: mecánico
Swedish: mekanisk
Thai: เกี่ยวกับเครื่องจักรกล
Turkish: mekanik
Ukrainian: механічний
Vietnamese: thuộc cơ khí
Chinese translation of 'mechanical'
mechanical
(mɪˈkænɪkl)
adj
[device, problem, work]机(機)械的 (jīxiè de)
(= automatic)[gestures]呆(獃)板的 (dāibǎn de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
made, performed, or operated by machinery
a small mechanical device that taps out the numbers
Synonyms
automatic
Modern trains have automatic doors.
automated
highly automated production lines
mechanized
power-driven
motor-driven
machine-driven
Opposites
manual
2 (adjective)
Definition
(of a task) not requiring any thought
His retort was mechanical.
Synonyms
unthinking
Bruce was no unthinking vandal.
routine
automatic
the automatic body functions, such as breathing
matter-of-fact
cold
He became cold and unfeeling.
unconscious
an unconscious desire expressed solely during sleep
instinctive
It's an instinctive reaction. If a child falls you pick it up.
lacklustre
involuntary
A surge of pain caused me to give an involuntary shudder.
impersonal
habitual
cursory
perfunctory
She gave the list only a perfunctory glance.
unfeeling
machine-like
emotionless
spiritless
Opposites
thinking
,
warm
,
genuine
,
conscious
,
voluntary
,
sincere
,
wholehearted
Additional synonyms
in the sense of automated
highly automated production lines
Synonyms
automatic,
mechanical,
robot,
mechanized,
push-button,
self-regulating,
self-propelling,
self-activating,
self-moving,
self-acting
in the sense of cold
Definition
lacking in affection or enthusiasm
He became cold and unfeeling.
Synonyms
distant,
reserved,
indifferent,
aloof,
glacial,
cold-blooded,
apathetic,
frigid,
unresponsive,
unfeeling,
passionless,
undemonstrative,
standoffish,
affectless,
phlegmatic,
spiritless
in the sense of instinctive
Definition
done or happening without any logical thought
It's an instinctive reaction. If a child falls you pick it up.
Synonyms
natural,
inborn,
automatic,
unconscious,
mechanical,
native,
inherent,
spontaneous,
reflex,
innate,
intuitive,
subconscious,
involuntary,
visceral,
unthinking,
instinctual,
unlearned,
hard-wired,
unpremeditated,
intuitional
Synonyms of 'mechanical'
mechanical
Explore 'mechanical' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of involuntary
Definition
(esp. of a movement or muscle) performed or acting without conscious control
A surge of pain caused me to give an involuntary shudder.
Synonyms
unintentional,
automatic,
unconscious,
spontaneous,
reflex,
instinctive,
uncontrolled,
unthinking,
instinctual,
blind,
unconditioned
in the sense of perfunctory
Definition
done only as a matter of routine
She gave the list only a perfunctory glance.
Synonyms
offhand,
routine,
wooden,
automatic,
stereotyped,
mechanical,
indifferent,
careless,
superficial,
negligent,
sketchy,
unconcerned,
cursory,
unthinking,
slovenly,
heedless,
slipshod,
inattentive
in the sense of unconscious
Definition
coming from or produced by the unconscious
an unconscious desire expressed solely during sleep