function

1 of 2

noun

func·​tion ˈfəŋ(k)-shən How to pronounce function (audio)
1
: professional or official position : occupation
His job combines the functions of a manager and a worker.
2
: the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists : purpose
3
: any of a group of related actions contributing to a larger action
especially : the normal and specific contribution of a bodily part to the economy of a living organism
The function of the heart is to pump blood through the body.
4
: an official or formal ceremony or social gathering
They went to several functions during their college reunion weekend.
5
a
: a mathematical correspondence that assigns exactly one element of one set to each element of the same or another set
b
: a variable (such as a quality, trait, or measurement) that depends on and varies with another
height is a function of age
also : result
illnesses that are a function of stress
6
: characteristic behavior of a chemical compound due to a particular reactive unit
7
: a computer subroutine
specifically : one that performs a calculation with variables (see variable entry 2 sense 1a) provided by a program and supplies the program with a single result
functionless adjective

function

2 of 2

verb

functioned; functioning ˈfəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce function (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to have a function : serve
an attributive noun functions as an adjective
2
: to carry on a function or be in action : operate
Choose the Right Synonym for function

function, office, duty, province mean the acts or operations expected of a person or thing.

function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work.

the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information Aldous Huxley

office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others.

they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor W. E. Gladstone

duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling.

it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case R. B. Taney

province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one.

I felt it was not my province to inquire Anne Brontë

Examples of function in a Sentence

Noun The function of the heart is to pump blood through the body. He believes that the true function of art is to tell the truth. What functions do these programs fulfill? infants learning to control their bodily functions The instrument is chiefly used to measure and record heart function. The design achieves a perfect blend of form and function. His job combines the functions of a manager and a worker. Her chief function is to provide expert legal advice. They went to several functions during their college reunion weekend. Verb The new machine functions well. His bad health has prevented him from being able to function effectively in recent weeks. Her heart now seems to be functioning normally. The computer network is not yet fully functioning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Diplomats and officials say that earlier in the conflict, Brussels’ role had been understood as providing financial aid for things like keeping basic functions of state running and hosting refugees, while the US would sort the weapons. Luke McGee, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 For serious mariners, form followed function, and fripperies were frowned upon. Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2024 Smith framed his case against Trump as one that cuts to a key function of democracy: the peaceful transfer of power. Adam Goldman, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 What emerged is a portrait of dysfunction and mudslinging that has shaken the area and called into question the district’s ability to effectively carry out one of the most basic functions of local government – fighting fires. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Jens-Christian Wagner, the director of the Buchenwald Memorial foundation, said at the conference that the lampshade’s production and gift-like function showed how dehumanized the Nazi SS soldiers were. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 This is important as Auditor because the office functions as an administrative arm of the Legislature; any substantive changes in policy must be made at the State level. Carl Weiser, The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024 Sonya and her uncle Vanya function as the managers of the estate, where Vanya’s feminist mother, Mama Voinitski (Houdyshell), a nanny named Marina (Katigbak), and a guitar-plucking family friend (Hadary)—the aforementioned Waffles—also live. Adrienne Miller, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024 The steering wheel even includes a sound-mixing function called Hypersonx, which allows the driver to play with sound effects. Jason Barlow, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
Neuralink didn’t delve into technical details about how the implant is functioning inside Arbaugh, or supply a scientific paper on the results. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024 But Take Note The Greater Goods Smart Baby Scale scale requires four AAA batteries to function. Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024 The ongoing situation could impact the hospital's ability to function, even minimally, and deprive people of critical, lifesaving care. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2024 While the suites were created to work as hotel accommodations, the penthouses can function as standalone apartments for extended stays and private buyouts. Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024 And the car needs to be able to function in the absence of a smartphone. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2024 The performance functioned as something of a test run for Green Day’s forthcoming headlining tour. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024 First, Renaud honed in on the micro-rotor’s key weakness: to function properly, the micro-rotor, in its current design, requires a large amplitude of movement to produce energy. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2024 Alt reports that Negishi’s family watches over the sole remaining, and still functioning, Sparko Box. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'function.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Latin function-, functio performance, from fungi to perform; probably akin to Sanskrit bhuṅkte he enjoys

First Known Use

Noun

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of function was in 1533

Dictionary Entries Near function

Cite this Entry

“Function.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/function. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

function

1 of 2 noun
func·​tion ˈfəŋ(k)-shən How to pronounce function (audio)
1
: professional job or duties : occupation
2
a
: the particular purpose for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists
the function of a knife is cutting
b
: the natural or proper action of a bodily part in a living thing
the function of the heart
3
: a large important ceremony or social affair
4
a
: a mathematical relationship that assigns exactly one element of one set to each element of the same or another set
b
: something (as a quality, trait, or measurement) that is determined by or based on something else
height is a function of age in children
functionless adjective

function

2 of 2 verb
functioned; functioning -sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce function (audio)
: to serve a certain purpose : work

Medical Definition

function

1 of 2 noun
func·​tion ˈfəŋ(k)-shən How to pronounce function (audio)
: any of a group of related actions contributing to a larger action
especially : the normal and specific contribution of a bodily part to the economy of a living organism see vital function
functionless adjective

function

2 of 2 intransitive verb
functioned; functioning -sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce function (audio)
: to have a function
shivering functions to maintain the heat of the body

More from Merriam-Webster on function

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