'automechanical' originates from Greek and modern English composition, specifically from the Greek element 'autós' (as the prefix 'auto-') meaning 'self' and from 'mechanical' (ultimately from Greek 'mēkhanē') meaning 'device' or 'machine'.

'automechanical' was formed in modern English by combining the prefix 'auto-' (from Greek 'autós') with the English adjective 'mechanical' (from Latin/Old French via Greek 'mēkhanikos' from 'mēkhanē'), producing the compound meaning 'self-mechanical' or 'self-operating mechanically'.

Initially used to convey the idea of being 'self-moving' or 'self-acting by mechanical means', it has come to be used generally for things that operate automatically by mechanical principles or that combine mechanical construction with automatic control.