dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

variants or less commonly disfunction

1

: impaired or abnormal functioning

gastrointestinal dysfunction

2

: abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group

family dysfunction

Examples of dysfunction in a Sentence

The disease causes gastrointestinal dysfunctions.

Recent Examples on the Web

For adults, lead poisoning can cause abdominal pain, muscle weakness, kidney dysfunction, and hypertension. —Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

Athletes who have leaked in the past, even after resolution, are nine times more likely to experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction later in life, according to a 2010 study, so there is a degree of future-proofing at play, too. —Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

They've been shown in studies to be associated with tissue stiffness, inflammation and cellular dysfunction. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025

For adults, chronic lead exposure is tied to kidney dysfunction, high blood pressure, and decreased cognitive function. —Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

dys- + function entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dysfunction

• erectile dysfunction
• minimal brain dysfunction

Rhymes for dysfunction

• adjunction
• compunction
• conjunction
• disjunction
• injunction
• inunction
• malfunction
• eigenfunction
• multifunction
• function
• junction
• unction

Kids Definition

dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

: impaired or abnormal functioning

liver dysfunction

dysfunctional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion

variants also disfunction

(ˈ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

: impaired or abnormal functioning (as of an organ of the body) see minimal brain dysfunction

dysfunctional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

dysfunctioning

-shə-niŋ 

noun