func·tion
ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 
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
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 variable entry 2 sense 1a) provided by a program and supplies the program with a single result
functioned; functioning
ˈfəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)niŋ
Choose the Right Synonym for 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
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
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
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
Anne Brontë
Examples of function in a Sentence
Noun
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.
Verb
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 on the Web
Mark Phelan, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
On April 11th, the Trump Administration wrote to Harvard, demanding to control the university’s core functions.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Cellphone equipment had been on top of the tower since the mid-1990s, so after 2016, the tower was functioning exclusively as a tower for phone antennas, Dobler said.
—Gael Langdon, Arkansas Online, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for function
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Enough time behind the wheel to experience a few basic functions followed by a pleasant lunch of Pie Sci pizza.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
On April 11th, the Trump Administration wrote to Harvard, demanding to control the university’s core functions.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
In short: companies cannot function without ADP’s services.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Cellphone equipment had been on top of the tower since the mid-1990s, so after 2016, the tower was functioning exclusively as a tower for phone antennas, Dobler said.
—Gael Langdon, Arkansas Online, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for function
Cite this Entry
“Function.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/function. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
function
1 of 2 noun
func·tion
ˈfəŋ(k)-shən
1
: professional job or duties : occupation
2
a
: the particular purpose for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists
the function of a knife is cutting
b
: the natural or proper action of a bodily part in a living thing
the function of the heart
3
: a large important ceremony or social affair
4
a
: a mathematical relationship that assigns exactly one element of one set to each element of the same or another set
b
: something (as a quality, trait, or measurement) that is determined by or based on something else
height is a function of age in children
Medical Definition
function
1 of 2 noun
func·tion
ˈfəŋ(k)-shən
: 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
function
2 of 2 intransitive verb
functioned; functioning
-sh(ə-)niŋ
: to have a function
shivering functions to maintain the heat of the body
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