1. working-class craftsmen or laborers, especially those who work with their hands
Usage: literary; somewhat archaic
2. mechanical drawings, layouts, or artwork prepared for printing or reproduction
Usage: printing; publishing

Examples

• In Shakespeare’s play, the mechanicals rehearse their amateur theatrical performance.
• Bottom and his fellow mechanicals provided comic relief in the story.
• The designer submitted the mechanicals to the printer for final approval.
• The mechanicals included precise measurements for the book layout.
• The publishing house required clean mechanicals before production could begin.
• The mechanicals were skilled workers who built the stage sets.
• She worked as a graphic artist preparing mechanicals for advertisements.