What does mechanisation mean?
Mechanisation is the process of using machinery and mechanical methods to perform work that was once done by hand, with animal power, or through less efficient manual processes. It is especially important in discussions of agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and industrial development. The word can describe a particular change, as in the mechanisation of farming, or a wider historical trend, as in increased mechanisation during the Industrial Revolution. Mechanisation generally increased productivity and made many forms of work faster and more consistent, but it also transformed employment, skills, and the relationship between people and technology. In British English the standard spelling uses “-isation”; American English normally uses “-ization.”
nounThe process of converting an activity, system, or process into one that is performed by machines or mechanical equipment. It can also refer to the use of machinery to replace or reduce human labour.
- The conversion of a process or activity to mechanical or machine-based operation.
- The widespread use of machinery in industry, agriculture, or transport.
"The mechanisation of agriculture transformed rural communities and sharply increased food production."
"Rapid mechanisation reduced the time needed to complete many manufacturing tasks."
"The lecture examined how mechanisation changed the relationship between workers and industrial production."
Usually uncountable when referring to the general process; the plural is uncommon and may refer to separate mechanisation processes.
"The museum compares the mechanisations of farming and weaving in different regions."
Mechanisation made machines part of everyday work, transforming economies while reducing the physical demands of many jobs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mechanisation come from?
Mechanisation derives from the Greek roots mēkhanē, meaning “machine” or “device,” and -ize, from Greek -izein, meaning “to make” or “to cause to become.” The related English words mechanism, mechanic, and mechanical entered English through Latin forms associated with the same Greek vocabulary. The development of mechanisation as a noun reflects the broad nineteenth- and twentieth-century shift toward machine-based production.
Related word forms
How mechanisation is actually used
The term is especially associated with agriculture and industry, where it describes the shift from hand or animal labour to machinery. It is often used in historical and economic discussion and may carry implications of technological progress, social change, or the displacement of workers. The spelling “mechanization” is standard in American English.