Mechanism vs. Machine — What's the Difference?

A method or means by which something is achieved.

A system or thing that seems to operate like a mechanical device.

A set of moving parts in a machine doing a specific job.

An apparatus using or applying mechanical power.

A system or structure of moving parts that performs a task within a machine.

A machine is any physical system with ordered structural and functional properties. It may represent human-made or naturally occurring device molecular machine that uses power to apply forces and control movement to perform an action.

A process by which a result is brought about; a method of operation.

A device consisting of fixed and moving parts that redirects mechanical energy to accomplish a particular task or set of tasks.

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

See simple machine.

A machine or mechanical appliance.

See compound machine.

The arrangement of connected parts in a machine.

A system or device for doing work, as an automobile or jackhammer, together with its power source and auxiliary equipment.

A system of parts that operate or interact like those of a machine

A system or device, such as a computer, that performs or assists in the performance of a human task

An instrument or a process, physical or mental, by which something is done or comes into being

An intricate natural system or organism, such as the human body.

A habitual manner of acting to achieve an end.

A person who acts in a rigid, mechanical, or unconscious manner.

(Psychology) A usually unconscious mental and emotional pattern that shapes behavior in a given situation or environment

An organized group of people whose members are or appear to be under the control of one or more leaders

The sequence of steps in a chemical reaction.

A device used to produce a stage effect, especially a mechanical means of lowering an actor onto the stage.

(Philosophy) The doctrine that all natural phenomena are explicable by material causes and mechanical principles.

A literary device used to produce an effect, especially the introduction of a supernatural being to resolve a plot.

(within a machine or machinery) Any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power.

An answering machine

Any combination of cams, gears, links, belts, chains and logical mechanical elements.

Of, relating to, or felt to resemble a machine

A group of entities, such as objects, that interact together.

To cut, shape, or finish by machine.

A mental, physical, or chemical process.

To be cut, shaped, or finished by machine

Any process of, or system designed to manage useful energy conversion.

A device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect.

(philosophy) The theory that all natural phenomena can be explained by physical causes.

(dated) A vehicle operated mechanically, such as an automobile or an airplane.

The arrangement or relation of the parts of a machine; the parts of a machine, taken collectively; the arrangement or relation of the parts of anything as adapted to produce an effect; as, the mechanism of a watch; the mechanism of a sewing machine; the mechanism of a seed pod.

An answering machine or, by extension, voice mail.

The series of causal relations that operate to produce an effect in any system; as, the mechanism of a chemical reaction.

(computing) A computer.

Mechanical operation or action.

(figuratively) A person or organisation that seemingly acts like a machine, being particularly efficient, single-minded, or unemotional.

An ideal machine; a combination of movable bodies constituting a machine, but considered only with regard to relative movements.

Especially, the group that controls a political or similar organization; a combination of persons acting together for a common purpose, with the agencies which they use.

The atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction;

(poetry) Supernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being introduced to perform some exploit.

The technical aspects of doing something;

The system of special interest groups that supports a political party, especially in urban areas.

A natural object resembling a machine in structure or function;

Penis.

(philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes

(historical) A contrivance in the Ancient Greek theatre for indicating a change of scene, by means of which a god might cross the stage or deliver a divine message; the deus ex machina.

Device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function

(obsolete) A bathing machine.

To make by machinery.

To shape or finish by machinery; (usually, more specifically) to shape subtractively by metal-cutting with machine-controlled toolpaths.

In general, any combination of bodies so connected that their relative motions are constrained, and by means of which force and motion may be transmitted and modified, as a screw and its nut, or a lever arranged to turn about a fulcrum or a pulley about its pivot, etc.; especially, a construction, more or less complex, consisting of a combination of moving parts, or simple mechanical elements, as wheels, levers, cams, etc., with their supports and connecting framework, calculated to constitute a prime mover, or to receive force and motion from a prime mover or from another machine, and transmit, modify, and apply them to the production of some desired mechanical effect or work, as weaving by a loom, or the excitation of electricity by an electrical machine.

Any mechanical contrivance, as the wooden horse with which the Greeks entered Troy; a coach; a bicycle.

A person who acts mechanically or at the will of another.

A combination of persons acting together for a common purpose, with the agencies which they use; as, the social machine.

A political organization arranged and controlled by one or more leaders for selfish, private or partisan ends; the Tammany machine.

Supernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being introduced to perform some exploit.

To subject to the action of machinery; to make, cut, shape, or modify with a machine; to effect by aid of machinery; to print with a printing machine.

Any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

An intricate organization that accomplishes its goals efficiently;

An efficient person;

4-wheeled motor vehicle; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine;

A group that controls the activities of a political party;

A device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point

Turn, shape, mold, or otherwise finish by machinery

Make by machinery;

A device that uses energy to perform an activity.

Any device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks.

A complex device consisting of several parts, each with a definite function.

Mechanisms optimize the transmission of motion and forces, contributing to a machine's overall efficiency and effectiveness.

While most mechanisms are part of machines, they can also exist independently in simpler devices or even in natural processes.

The main function of a mechanism is to transmit motions and forces within a machine.

Engineers optimize machine design by carefully selecting and arranging mechanisms to maximize performance, efficiency, and reliability.

No, machines generally require mechanisms to function, as they are the components that execute the tasks.

Machines can be powered by various types of energy, including electrical, mechanical, thermal, or even human power.

The concept of machines has evolved from simple mechanical tools to complex systems incorporating electronic and digital technologies.

Common examples include door locks, clocks, and bicycle gears.

Electronic devices like computers, although primarily electronic, are often considered machines due to their complex functions and roles.

Yes, mechanisms can exist independently, such as simple gear systems or linkages, without being part of a larger machine.