functional

adjective

func·tion·al | \ ˈfəŋ(k)-shnəl

, -shə-nᵊl\

Definition of functional

1a : of, connected with, or being a function the functional differences between the departments

b : affecting physiological or psychological functions but not organic structure functional heart disease

2 : used to contribute to the development or maintenance of a larger whole functional and practical school courses also : designed or developed chiefly from the point of view of use The design of the building is not only functional but also beautiful.

3 : performing or able to perform a regular function The flashlight was still functional after I had dropped it.

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Examples of functional in a Sentence

They worked outside, so they preferred wearing functional clothes. The building's design is not only functional but also beautiful. The flashlight was still functional after I dropped it. The computer network is fully functional.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cancer cells that form in patients who are BRCA-positive also have mutations related to BRCA genes, which normally help repair DNA but aren't functional in these cells. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "How Your BRCA Status May Impact Your Ovarian Cancer Treatment," 17 Dec. 2018 In a functional market, patients would demand care and providers would furnish it at mutually agreeable prices. — Sally C. Pipes, Fortune, "Why Does the Left Want Universal Health Care? Britain’s Is on Its Deathbed," 10 July 2018 Asian art historian Meher McArthur explores the history and evolution of this stoneware, marked by natural glazes and a rough surface laid with quartz particles, from functional for common folks to a currently collectible form of art. — Lisa Deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "What's happening in the visual art world in July," 8 July 2018 According to Mordechai Segev, a professor of physics at Technion Israel Institute of Technology, a functional, accurate quantum computer would need to consist of about 2,000 quantum bits. — Rachel Gutman, The Atlantic, "Could Quantum Computing Be the End of Free Will?," 30 June 2018 And Ninous—who was tasked with reinvigorating a company that’s run the gamut from hyper-functional to ultra-luxury—doesn’t need history lessons in the first place. — Jonathan Evans, Esquire, "After Nearly a Century, Belstaff Is Still Obsessed With Innovation," 2 Feb. 2018 In late 2017, for the first time, engineers managed to manufacture fully functional MicroLED screens for future Apple Watches; the company aims to make the new technology available first in its wearable computers. — Mark Gurman, chicagotribune.com, "Apple said to develop displays to replace Samsung screens," 19 Mar. 2018 In late 2017, for the first time, engineers managed to manufacture fully functional MicroLED screens for future Apple Watches; the company aims to make the new technology available first in its wearable computers. — Mark Gurman, Bloomberg.com, "Apple Is Secretly Developing Its Own Screens for the First Time," 19 Mar. 2018 In late 2017, for the first time, engineers managed to manufacture fully functional MicroLED screens for future Apple Watches; the company aims to make the new technology available first in its wearable computers. — Mark Gurman / Bloomberg, Time, "Apple Is Using a Secret Facility to Do Something It's Never Done Before," 19 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'functional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near functional

functional determinant

functional finance

Statistics for functional

Last Updated

13 Feb 2019

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Time Traveler for functional

The first known use of functional was in 1633

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More Definitions for functional

functional

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of functional

: designed to have a practical use

medical : affecting the way a part of your body works

: working properly

See the full definition for functional in the English Language Learners Dictionary

functional

adjective

func·tion·al | \ ˈfəŋ(k)-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl

Medical Definition of functional

1a : of, connected with, or being a function — compare structural sense 1

b : affecting physiological or psychological functions but not organic structure functional heart disease a functional psychosis — compare organic sense 1b

2 : performing or able to perform a regular function