mal·func·tion
ˌmal-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 
malfunctioned; malfunctioning; malfunctions
: to function imperfectly or badly : fail to operate normally
plural malfunctions
: 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
C. Clairborne RayIn 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
Richard Crino
Did you know?
A malfunctioning switch might keep us from turning on a light. A malfunctioning heart valve might require replacement with an artificial valve, and if your immune system malfunctions it may start to attack healthy cells. And a malfunction in a voting machine could result in hundreds of votes being miscounted.
Examples of malfunction in a Sentence
Verb
A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2025
Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Meet and other first-party products also malfunctioned.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 16 June 2025
Kennedy Sessions, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025
In such cases, consumers have 90 days from the date of the malfunction to file a claim.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
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Verb
Gomez Montanez also tried to shoot the victim’s brother, authorities said, but the gun malfunctioned.
—Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2025
Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Meet and other first-party products also malfunctioned.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 16 June 2025
Noun
The incident led to the plaintiffs’ suffering severe injuries, including bladder malfunctions, pelvis fractures, and ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation, according to the lawsuit.
—Kennedy Sessions, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025
In such cases, consumers have 90 days from the date of the malfunction to file a claim.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malfunction. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malfunction
verb
mal·func·tion
(ˈ)mal-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən
: to fail to function or operate properly
malfunction
noun
Medical Definition
malfunction
intransitive verb
mal·func·tion
(ˈ)mal-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən
: to function imperfectly or badly : fail to operate in the normal or usual manner
malfunctioning kidneys
malfunction
noun
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