mechanize
/ˈmekənaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmekənaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈme-kə-ˌnīz/ (ame, mw)
mechanize — verb
- mechanizepresent simple I / you / we / they
- mechanizeshe / she / it
- mechanizedpast simple
- mechanizing-ing form
1. to introduce machines into a job or production process so that work which people
to introduce machines into a job or production process so that work which people once did by hand is now done with powered equipment
Beatriz's grandfather decided to mechanize the family rice farm after labour costs doubled.
mechanize + [industry/business]
Most cotton mills in the region were mechanized during the 1840s.
passive: be mechanized + [time period]
The new owner plans to mechanize bottling at the small brewery next year.
Ishaan argued that mechanizing the bakery would cost too many jobs in the village.
Sumin's research shows how mechanizing tea picking changed life on Korean farms.
- automate
broader and more modern; covers computer-controlled systems, not only powered machines
- industrialize
larger in scope — applies to a whole country or sector shifting to factory production
- motorize
narrow — adds engines specifically, often to vehicles or small tools
- manualize
rare; reverse process of going back to hand work
文法句型
mechanize + [process/industry]
be mechanized
用法筆記
Object is typically an industry, process, or specific manual task (farming, bottling, weaving). Frequently passive when describing historical industrial change.
常見錯誤
2. to supply an army unit with tanks, armoured trucks, and other fighting vehicles
to supply an army unit with tanks, armoured trucks, and other fighting vehicles so that soldiers can move and attack with motor transport instead of on foot or horseback
Between the world wars, several European armies rushed to mechanize their cavalry units.
mechanize + [military unit]
By 1942, two more divisions had been mechanized and sent to the desert front.
passive: be mechanized
Ezra's history class studied how Germany mechanized its infantry before the invasion.
The general urged the minister to mechanize the border regiments without delay.
- demobilize
different action — disband a unit rather than re-equip it on foot
文法句型
mechanize + [military unit]
mechanized infantry/division
用法筆記
Almost always in military or military-history writing. The participle 'mechanized' commonly modifies unit nouns (mechanized infantry, mechanized division). Distinguish from sense 1: the object is a fighting force, not a factory or production process.