nonfunctioning
adjective
non·func·tion·ing
ˌnän-ˈfəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)niŋ 
1
: not performing or able to perform a function : not functioning : nonfunctional
a nonfunctioning telephone
a nonfunctioning kidney
2
medical, of a tumor
: not secreting hormones or not secreting hormones that produce clinical symptoms
a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma
nonfunctioning islet cell tumors
Examples of nonfunctioning in a Sentence
the Ferris wheel is nonfunctioning at the moment
Recent Examples on the Web
Drivers say their contract issues center on pay as well as safety issues, including nonfunctioning heaters, loudspeakers and windshield wipers.
—
Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Feb. 2023
In 2020, the state of Virginia passed some bills limiting pretextual traffic stops—for example, when police spot nonfunctioning brake or tail lights or hear an overly loud exhaust system.
—Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 30 Jan. 2023
Donald and Jaylen Brown appear to be the only announced clients of Donda Sports, which has a nonfunctioning website and an Instagram account with over 279,000 followers and no posts.
—Greg Beacham, ajc, 26 Oct. 2022
Donald and Jaylen Brown appear to be the only announced clients of Donda Sports, which has a nonfunctioning website and an Instagram account with more than 279,000 followers and no posts.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 25 Oct. 2022
Demings, whose four decades of public service include leading the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Orlando Police Department, said intersections with nonfunctioning signals become four-way stops.
—Stephen Hudak, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Sep. 2022
On the last Saturday of September, keeping the culture looked like Carter working in conjunction with members of her community to host a dinner under the stars on a nonfunctioning farm.
—Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2021
Usually the nonfunctioning kidneys are left in place and the healthy kidney is surgically attached in a different location.
—Julie Washington, cleveland, 13 July 2021
Water has also emerged as a major problem, with almost 7 million Texans under a boil water advisory, and about 263,000 people affected by nonfunctioning water providers.
—Maria Jimenez Moya, Star Tribune, 18 Feb. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Feb. 2023
In 2020, the state of Virginia passed some bills limiting pretextual traffic stops—for example, when police spot nonfunctioning brake or tail lights or hear an overly loud exhaust system.
—Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 30 Jan. 2023
Donald and Jaylen Brown appear to be the only announced clients of Donda Sports, which has a nonfunctioning website and an Instagram account with over 279,000 followers and no posts.
—Greg Beacham, ajc, 26 Oct. 2022
Donald and Jaylen Brown appear to be the only announced clients of Donda Sports, which has a nonfunctioning website and an Instagram account with more than 279,000 followers and no posts.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 25 Oct. 2022
Demings, whose four decades of public service include leading the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Orlando Police Department, said intersections with nonfunctioning signals become four-way stops.
—Stephen Hudak, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Sep. 2022
On the last Saturday of September, keeping the culture looked like Carter working in conjunction with members of her community to host a dinner under the stars on a nonfunctioning farm.
—Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2021
Usually the nonfunctioning kidneys are left in place and the healthy kidney is surgically attached in a different location.
—Julie Washington, cleveland, 13 July 2021
Water has also emerged as a major problem, with almost 7 million Texans under a boil water advisory, and about 263,000 people affected by nonfunctioning water providers.
—Maria Jimenez Moya, Star Tribune, 18 Feb. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Nonfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonfunctioning. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
nonfunctioning
adjective
non·func·tion·ing
-ˈfəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)niŋ
1
: not performing or able to perform a regular function
a nonfunctioning thyroid
2
of a tumor
: not secreting hormones or not secreting hormones which produce clinical symptoms
a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma
nonfunctioning islet cell tumors
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share