functional
adjective
func·tion·al
ˈfəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)nəl 
1
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.
Examples of functional in a Sentence
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
Potentially regulating blood sugar, sesame oil has a functional blend of fatty acids — omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9.
—
Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
The uniform jacket was custom-made but lacked functional chest pockets to prevent unwanted glances when using a notebook and pen.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Once a scrappy research lab in San Francisco's Mission District, the company has since become more structured, enabling it to spin up cross-functional teams more quickly and accelerate the development and deployment cycles for products like Sora.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
There are just currently just 12,500 or so operational satellites of any kind in orbit, according to the European Space Agency — meaning that two out of every three functional spacecraft right now is a Starlink satellite.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
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Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
The uniform jacket was custom-made but lacked functional chest pockets to prevent unwanted glances when using a notebook and pen.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Once a scrappy research lab in San Francisco's Mission District, the company has since become more structured, enabling it to spin up cross-functional teams more quickly and accelerate the development and deployment cycles for products like Sora.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
There are just currently just 12,500 or so operational satellites of any kind in orbit, according to the European Space Agency — meaning that two out of every three functional spacecraft right now is a Starlink satellite.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
Cite this Entry
“Functional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/functional. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
functional
adjective
func·tion·al
ˈfuŋ(k)-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
1
a
: of, connected with, or being a function
b
: affecting bodily functions but not structure
functional heart disease
2
: designed or developed chiefly from the point of view of use
functional clothes
functional writing
3
: performing or able to perform a regular function
Medical Definition
functional
adjective
func·tion·al
ˈfəŋ(k)-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl
1
a
: 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
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