1. relating to or involving machines or machinery
2. explaining phenomena in terms of physical or chemical processes without reference to purpose or design
Usage: philosophy; science
3. characterized by a rigid, automatic approach lacking creativity or flexibility

Examples

• The factory adopted a mechanistic approach to production.
• His mechanistic view of biology ignored the complexity of living systems.
• The teacher’s mechanistic method of instruction bored the students.
• Scientists debated whether consciousness could be explained through mechanistic processes.
• The mechanistic operation of the assembly line increased efficiency.
• Her mechanistic response to customer complaints showed no empathy.
• The mechanistic model failed to account for human behavior.