What does mechanic mean?
A mechanic is a person who examines, maintains, or repairs machinery, most often a car or other motor vehicle. The word commonly appears in contexts such as visiting a garage, diagnosing an engine fault, or arranging a routine service. In British English, “mechanic” is the standard everyday term, while “garage technician” may be used when a more formal or professional designation is wanted. American English also uses “mechanic” broadly and may additionally use “auto mechanic” for a specialist in automobile repair. Although its plural is “mechanics,” that form can be ambiguous: two or more mechanics are people who repair machinery, whereas “the mechanics of an engine” means the way its parts operate or the principles of mechanics, the branch of science concerned with motion and forces.
nounA person skilled in examining, maintaining, and repairing machinery or vehicles. The term is most commonly used for a motor vehicle mechanic.
- A person trained or skilled in the maintenance and repair of machinery, especially motor vehicles.
"The mechanic diagnosed the problem quickly and repaired the faulty brake."
"She took the car to a mechanic because the engine was making an unusual noise."
"The museum employed a specialist mechanic to restore the nineteenth-century machinery."
“Two mechanics” means two people who repair or maintain machinery. By contrast, “the mechanics of the system” describes how its parts operate, and “mechanics” can also name the scientific study of motion and forces.
"Two mechanics inspected the damaged aircraft engines."
From the Greek word for machine or device, “mechanic” grew into a name for the person who understands how machines work.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mechanic come from?
The word entered English in the early 16th century from the Greek mēchanē, meaning “machine” or “device,” through Latin and French. Its original sense referred to a person skilled in the practical use or construction of machines. English later narrowed the term to a person who maintains and repairs machinery, especially vehicles.
Related word forms
How mechanic is actually used
In everyday use, a mechanic usually repairs or services vehicles. The term is neutral and common in both British and American English, although “garage technician” may sound more formal in British usage.
Easily confused with mechanic
A mechanic is a person who repairs or maintains machines, whereas a mechanism is a device or system of connected parts.
A mechanic is a skilled person, while mechanical is an adjective describing something involving machines or mechanical processes.