noun · academic

mechanism

UK/ˈmɛkənɪzəm/US/ˈmɛkənəˌzəm/MECH·a·nism

Band 7+task2speaking

a natural or established process by which something takes place or is brought about

Examples

Researchers are still trying to understand the mechanism behind the drug's effects.

The feedback mechanism in the system prevents overheating.

Policy makers need to design mechanisms that incentivise green investment.

Band 8 sentence

Although the phenomenon has been observed for decades, the precise biochemical mechanism remains contested.

Collocations

  • mechanism for
  • feedback mechanism
  • mechanism of action

Word family

mechanistic adjectivemechanically adverb

Common mistakes

The mechanism of the policy are unclear.The mechanism of the policy is unclear.

We should explain the mechanism how it works.We should explain the mechanism of how it works.

Say it for a higher band

5method6process7+mechanism

Synonyms

process

system

Easily confused

mechanics

He studies the mechanics of engine failure in the lab.

Related words

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In Sublist 10

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