function

play

noun func·tion \ ˈfəŋ(k)-shən \

Definition of function

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; also :functional group

7 :a computer subroutine; specifically :one that performs a calculation with variables (see ²variable 1a) provided by a program and supplies the program with a single result

—

functionless

play \-ləs\ adjective

See function defined for English-language learners

See function defined for kids

Examples of function in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of function from the Web

Now, after dropping off a passenger, drivers can use a new function called Rematch to be matched with passengers who have requested a ride.

— lisa beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, "LAX Just Made It Easier to Catch a Lyft/Uber from the Airport," 30 Aug. 2017
Patients treated with the drug show increased muscle function, instead of losing it.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Ionis earns $40 million from spinal muscular atrophy drug Spinraza," 30 Aug. 2017
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, has confirmed that the agency’s definition of clinical trials now includes imaging studies of normal brain function that do not test new treatments.

— jocelyn kaiser, Science | AAAS, "Basic studies of how our brains work are now clinical trials, NIH says," 25 Aug. 2017
Even back then, Instagram had already added private messaging to its basic function of picture posting.

— alexis c. madrigal, The Atlantic, "'Link in Bio' Keeps Instagram Nice," 23 Aug. 2017
Protecting president's safety = essential governmental function -- Patriot (@patriot17761980) August 21, 2017 Our nation has always protected the president & his family.

— the tylt, AL.com, "Should President Trump and his family pay for their own Secret Service expenses?," 22 Aug. 2017
Autopsy revealed a partially ruptured fallopian tube, but the doctor did not understand what had rent it, probably, according to Coltar, because the function of the ovary and fallopian tube were not understood.

— joanna petrone, Longreads, "Pregnant, then Ruptured," 18 Aug. 2017
THE SEVENTH FUNCTION OF LANGUAGE By Laurent Binet Translated by Sam Taylor 359 pp.

— nicholas dames, New York Times, "A Postmodern Buddy-Cop Novel Sends Up the World of Semiotics," 16 Aug. 2017
Making sure that organization was a built-in function of the room.

— sara tardiff, ELLE Decor, "Lucy Liu's New Playroom Is Fun Enough For Kids And Stylish Enough For Adults," 10 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of function

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1533

See Words from the same year

function Synonyms

Synonyms

affair, bash, binge, blast, blowout, do, event, fete (or fête), party, get-together, powwow, reception, shindig

Related Words

benefit, fund-raiser; ball, dance, formal, prom; celebration, gala, occasion; bacchanal, bacchanalia, orgy, saturnalia; bake, clambake, cocktail party, hen party, house party, housewarming, icebreaker, kaffeeklatsch, kegger (also keg party), klatch (also klatsch), masquerade, meet and greet, mixer, salon, shower, social, soiree (or soirée), stag, supper, symposium, tea, tea party

Near Antonyms

avocation; joblessness, unemployment

Synonym Discussion of 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

function

verb

Definition of function

functioned; functioning play \ˈfəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)niŋ\

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

See function defined for English-language learners

Examples of function in a Sentence

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 of function from the Web

The human neurons integrated into the brains of the monkeys and functioned as dopamine-making neurons.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Brain cell replacement for Parkinson's boosted by monkey study," 30 Aug. 2017
Thousands of years ago, indigenous groups living on the Pacific coast of Peru built towering adobe pyramids, which functioned as religious centers and tombs for elite members of society.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Remains of 19th-Century Chinese Laborers Found at Pyramid in Peru," 29 Aug. 2017
Before shows, Isbell and the 400 Unit briefly congregate on the side of the stage to make sure everyone's ready and their in-ear monitors are functioning.

— matt wake, AL.com, "How Jason Isbell's 400 Unit became the E Street Band of their era," 23 Aug. 2017
The findings come from a reanalysis of data from NASA’s Odyssey spacecraft, which began orbiting Mars in 2001 and is the oldest functioning mission at the planet.

— sid perkins, Science | AAAS, "Water ice found near Mars’s equator could entice colonists and life-seekers," 16 Aug. 2017
The Trump administration might lash out at Obamacare by continuing to sabotage its functioning markets.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Trumpcare Collapsed Because the Republican Party Cannot Govern," 18 July 2017
The W.H. is functioning perfectly, focused on HealthCare, Tax Cuts/Reform & many other things.

— christopher rosen, EW.com, "Donald Trump claims: 'I have very little time for watching T.V.'," 12 July 2017
This allows the skin to breathe and the body to function normally.

— emma sarran webster, Teen Vogue, "Deodorant Aluminum: What You Should Know," 5 July 2017
In the absence of a well-functioning State Department, Trump is relying more on the National Security Council, a group composed of Cabinet secretaries and senior military officials, to make foreign policy decisions.

— alex daugherty, miamiherald, "The Trump whisperer: Marco Rubio has the president’s ear on Latin America," 26 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of function

see ¹function

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1856

See Words from the same year

function Synonyms

Synonyms

act, perform, serve, work

Related Words

operate, run; administer, carry on, control, direct, guide, handle, manage, oversee, regulate, supervise

FUNCTION Defined for English Language Learners

function

play

noun

Definition of function for English Language Learners

: the special purpose or activity for which a thing exists or is used
: the job or duty of a person
: a large ceremony or social event

function

verb

Definition of function for English Language Learners

: to work or operate
: to have a specified function, role, or purpose

FUNCTION Defined for Kids

function

play

noun func·tion \ ˈfəŋk-shən \

Definition of function for Students

1 :the action for which a person or thing is designed or used :purpose

What function does this tool serve?

2 :a large important ceremony or social affair

3 :a mathematical relationship that assigns exactly one element of one set to each element of the same or another set

function

verb

Definition of function for Students

functioned; functioning

:to serve a certain purpose :work

The new machine functions well.

The couch can also function as a bed.

Medical Dictionary

function

play

noun func·tion \ ˈfəŋ(k)-shən \

medical Definition of function

: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

play \-ləs\ adjective

function

intransitive verb

medical Definition of function

functioned; functioning play \-sh(ə-)niŋ\

:to have a function

shivering functions to maintain the heat of the body

Learn More about function

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for function Spanish Central: Translation of function Nglish: Translation of function for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of function for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about function

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function

Definition of function

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FUNCTION Defined for English Language Learners

function

Definition of function for English Language Learners

function

Definition of function for English Language Learners

FUNCTION Defined for Kids

function

Definition of function for Students

function

Definition of function for Students

Medical Dictionary

function

medical Definition of function

functionless

function

medical Definition of function

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