/ məˈkænɪkl; NAmE / adjective
1.
operated by power from an engine :
a mechanical device / toy / clock
mechanical parts
2.
connected with machines and engines :
mechanical problems / defects
The breakdown was due to a mechanical failure.
3.
( disapproving ) ( of people's behaviour and actions ) done without thinking, like a machine
SYN routine :
a mechanical gesture / response
4.
connected with the physical laws of movement and cause and effect (= with mechanics ) :
mechanical processes
5.
( of a person ) good at understanding how machines work
► mech·an·ic·al·ly / -kli; NAmE / adverb :
a mechanically powered vehicle
She spoke mechanically, as if thinking of something else.
He's always been mechanically minded.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (describing an art or occupation concerned with the construction of machines): via Latin from Greek mēkhanikos (from mēkhanē , from mēkhos contrivance) + -al .