malfunction

verb

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mal·func·tion | \ ˌmal-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən

malfunctioned; malfunctioning; malfunctions

Definition of malfunction

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to function imperfectly or badly : fail to operate normally

malfunction

noun

plural malfunctions

Definition of malfunction (Entry 2 of 2)

: a failure to operate or function in the normal or correct manner : the action or an instance of malfunctioning a hardware/equipment malfunction Once thought to be a disease itself dropsy is now known to be a sign of several kinds of body malfunction, especially congestive heart failure and kidney disease.— C. Clairborne Ray In schizophrenia this filtering system malfunctions or short-circuits. This malfunction causes people to misevaluate what they see, hear, and experience in their environment.— Richard Crino

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Examples of malfunction in a Sentence

Verb A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit. — Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2021 The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit. — Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2021 The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit. — Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2021 The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit. — Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2021 The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit. — Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2021 The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit. — Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2021 The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit. — USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2021 Last June, the agency opened an investigation into complaints that the screens would malfunction. — Tom Krisher, Star Tribune, 2 Feb. 2021

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