mechanism of action

noun

UK /ˈmekənɪzəm əv ˈækʃən/

US /ˈmekənɪzəm əv ˈækʃən/

The way a medicine works in your body to help you feel better.

The doctor explained the mechanism of action of the new medicine.

SYNONYMS

mode of action how it works working method way of working

RELATED WORDS

medicine drug treatment biology pharmacology

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The steps by which a machine or tool does its job.

The engineer studied the mechanism of action of the robot arm.

3. The process by which a chemical causes a change.

Scientists described the mechanism of action of the cleaning spray.

4. The way a natural system produces an effect.

The mechanism of action of the enzyme was explained in class.