inner workings

noun

The mechanisms that function internally to a system and are not outwardly visible

“Nobody really understands the inner workings of politics.”

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Meanings

nouninner workings pl (plural only)
  1. pluralplural onlyThe mechanisms that function internally to a system and are not outwardly visible

    Nobody really understands the inner workings of politics.

    1 more example

    After more than 18 months in non-protected storage, they have needed significant patching and repair work to bodyshells and inner workings before they can enter service.

    2025 November 26, David Stubbings, “News: Rolling stock strategy 'will give clarity'”, in RAIL, number 1049, page 7

Translations

French rouages
  • rouagesTranslations
German Innenleben
  • InnenlebenTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

inner workings. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/inner%20workings

MLA

“inner workings.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/inner%20workings. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “inner workings,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/inner%20workings.

Source: inner workings on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.