function

1 of 2

noun

func·tion ˈfəŋ(k)-shən How to pronounce function (audio)

: professional or official position : occupation

His job combines the functions of a manager and a worker.

: the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists : purpose

: 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.

: an official or formal ceremony or social gathering

They went to several functions during their college reunion weekend.

: a mathematical correspondence that assigns exactly one element of one set to each element of the same or another set

: a variable (such as a quality, trait, or measurement) that depends on and varies with another

height is a function of age

also : result

illnesses that are a function of stress

: characteristic behavior of a chemical compound due to a particular reactive unit

also : functional group

: 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

functionless

ˈfəŋ(k)-shən-ləs How to pronounce function (audio)

adjective

function

2 of 2

verb

functioned; functioning ˈfəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce function (audio)

intransitive verb

: to have a function : serve

an attributive noun functions as an adjective

: to carry on a function or be in action : operate

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The student was arrested on two charges: possession of a firearm on school property, a felony, and misdemeanor disruption of a school function.

Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Sep. 2022 Google and Alexa, too Home Assistant can provide a similar kind of gateway function to Google Assistant and the Google Home app—and to Amazon's Alexa devices and apps.

Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 22 Aug. 2022 No evidence has emerged to support such a theory and the NIH consistently has denied any ties to organizational funding and gain-of-function research in Wuhan.

Gregory Svirnovskiy, The Arizona Republic, 22 Aug. 2022 For materialists like himself, Danielsson says the collapse of a wave function in quantum mechanics is a result of an interaction with another physical system.

Robert Lea, Popular Mechanics, 16 Aug. 2022 Most of the recent controversy over gain-of-function research has focused on research that makes viruses more deadly.

Steven Salzberg, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Under California law, death can be determined by the loss of all brain function and in accordance with accepted medical standards.

Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2022 Although household balance sheets remain in a position of relative strength, there is a fear factor at work, said Tamara Charm, partner and leader of the insights function at consulting firm McKinsey.

Martha C. White For Cnn Business, CNN, 12 Aug. 2022 The brake fluid reservoir cap may not vent properly, creating a vacuum inside the brake fluid reservoir, and resulting in a brake fluid leak that may lead to a partial or total loss of brake function.

Detroit Free Press, 12 Aug. 2022

Verb

The research community is excited about the potential of DNA to function as long-term archival storage.

John Timmer, Ars Technica, 15 Sep. 2022 It’s not just a handheld console—it’s a PC that sometimes requires workarounds and tweaks for things to function properly.

Wired, 28 July 2022 Tonia Reis, director of Edelman's Trust Barometer surveys, said trust is a precious commodity that's vital for the economy and government to function.

David Klepper, ajc, 9 July 2022 Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least seven hours of sleep per night for adults, some people are able to function with a bit less.

L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2022 Talks to resolve the problem have so far proved fruitless, said the Israeli official, who expressed pessimism as to whether the Jewish Agency would be able to continue to function in Russia.

Dov Lieber, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 And in some cases, the lightest shade on a paint card could function as a white does when juxtaposed with your wall color.

Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2022 Sports events function as a public-relations exercise and form a key part of the Saudi government’s long-term plan to transform the country and its reputation.

Morgan Campbell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Pages can function like a Word document, spreadsheet or a file-storage system.

Maddie Ellis, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 See More

Kids Definition

function 1 of 2

noun

func·tion ˈfəŋk-shən How to pronounce function (audio)

: the action for which a person or thing is designed or used : purpose

What function does this tool serve?

: a large important ceremony or social affair

: a mathematical relationship that assigns exactly one element of one set to each element of the same or another set

function

2 of 2

verb

functioned; functioning

: to serve a certain purpose : work

The new machine functions well.

The couch can also function as a bed.

function 1 of 2

noun

as in event

a social gathering made a brief appearance at the annual holiday function

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

event
party
bash
reception
celebration
do
dance
gala
blowout
shindig
fete
affair
ball
benefit
blast
formal
binge
get-together
fête
occasion
supper
social
prom
symposium
tea party
masquerade
house party
tea
cocktail party
shower
fund-raiser
bake
mixer
orgy
soiree
stag
keg party
clambake
saturnalia
housewarming
hen party
bacchanalia
salon
icebreaker
bacchanal
meet and greet
soirée
klatch
kegger
klatsch
kaffeeklatsch

as in position

an assignment at which one regularly works for pay what's your function in this company?

Synonyms & Similar Words

position
job
capacity
post
situation
place
employ
employment
connection
appointment
work
office
task
profession
berth
billet
service
occupation
duty
business
calling
vocation
career
spot
mission
practice
pursuit
living
trade
posting
livelihood
racket
engagement
line
practise
gig
lifework

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

avocation
unemployment
joblessness

as in purpose

the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists that machine's function is to sort bolts by size

Synonyms & Similar Words

purpose
role
task
job
work
capacity
part
position
mission
place
business
duty
activity
rôle
use
vocation
service
participation
concern
office
situation
involvement
responsibility
calling
assignment
occupation
post
employ
pursuit
hand
niche
affair
commission
charge

function

2 of 2

verb

as in to act

to have a certain purpose the heart functions as a pump for the blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

act
serve
work
perform
operate
control
regulate
handle
guide
manage
direct
run
carry on
supervise
oversee
administer

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of function are duty, office, and province. While all these words 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

Although the words duty and function have much in common, 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

While in some cases nearly identical to function, 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

The words province and function can be used in similar contexts, but 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

单词	function
释义	function 1 of 2 noun 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 also : result illnesses that are a function of stress 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 functionless ˈfəŋ(k)-shən-ləs adjective function 2 of 2 verb functioned; functioning ˈfəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)niŋ intransitive verb 1 : to have a function : serve an attributive noun functions as an adjective 2 : to carry on a function or be in action : operate Synonyms Noun affair bash binge blast blowout do event fete fête get-together party reception shindig Verb act perform serve work See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences 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. See More Recent Examples on the Web Noun The student was arrested on two charges: possession of a firearm on school property, a felony, and misdemeanor disruption of a school function. Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Sep. 2022 Google and Alexa, too Home Assistant can provide a similar kind of gateway function to Google Assistant and the Google Home app—and to Amazon's Alexa devices and apps. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 22 Aug. 2022 No evidence has emerged to support such a theory and the NIH consistently has denied any ties to organizational funding and gain-of-function research in Wuhan. Gregory Svirnovskiy, The Arizona Republic, 22 Aug. 2022 For materialists like himself, Danielsson says the collapse of a wave function in quantum mechanics is a result of an interaction with another physical system. Robert Lea, Popular Mechanics, 16 Aug. 2022 Most of the recent controversy over gain-of-function research has focused on research that makes viruses more deadly. Steven Salzberg, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Under California law, death can be determined by the loss of all brain function and in accordance with accepted medical standards. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2022 Although household balance sheets remain in a position of relative strength, there is a fear factor at work, said Tamara Charm, partner and leader of the insights function at consulting firm McKinsey. Martha C. White For Cnn Business, CNN, 12 Aug. 2022 The brake fluid reservoir cap may not vent properly, creating a vacuum inside the brake fluid reservoir, and resulting in a brake fluid leak that may lead to a partial or total loss of brake function. Detroit Free Press, 12 Aug. 2022 Verb The research community is excited about the potential of DNA to function as long-term archival storage. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 15 Sep. 2022 It’s not just a handheld console—it’s a PC that sometimes requires workarounds and tweaks for things to function properly. Wired, 28 July 2022 Tonia Reis, director of Edelman's Trust Barometer surveys, said trust is a precious commodity that's vital for the economy and government to function. David Klepper, ajc, 9 July 2022 Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least seven hours of sleep per night for adults, some people are able to function with a bit less. L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2022 Talks to resolve the problem have so far proved fruitless, said the Israeli official, who expressed pessimism as to whether the Jewish Agency would be able to continue to function in Russia. Dov Lieber, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 And in some cases, the lightest shade on a paint card could function as a white does when juxtaposed with your wall color. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2022 Sports events function as a public-relations exercise and form a key part of the Saudi government’s long-term plan to transform the country and its reputation. Morgan Campbell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Pages can function like a Word document, spreadsheet or a file-storage system. Maddie Ellis, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun and Verb Latin function-, functio performance, from fungi to perform; probably akin to Sanskrit bhuṅkte he enjoys First Known Use Noun 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Verb 1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing function a function of Bessel function cumulative distribution function composite function discriminant function density function distribution function executive function function key exponential function function word logarithmic function power function probability density function probability function propositional function rational function step function trigonometric function hyperbolic function circular function sentential function inverse function linear function See More a function of Bessel function cumulative distribution function composite function discriminant function density function distribution function executive function function key exponential function function word logarithmic function power function probability density function probability function propositional function rational function step function trigonometric function hyperbolic function circular function sentential function inverse function linear function See More Kids Definition function 1 of 2 noun func·tion ˈfəŋk-shən 1 : the action for which a person or thing is designed or used : purpose What function does this tool serve? 2 : a large important ceremony or social affair 3 : a mathematical relationship that assigns exactly one element of one set to each element of the same or another set function 2 of 2 verb functioned; functioning : to serve a certain purpose : work The new machine functions well. The couch can also function as a bed. 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 function 1 of 2 noun 1 as in event a social gathering made a brief appearance at the annual holiday function Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance event party bash reception celebration do dance gala blowout shindig fete affair ball benefit blast formal binge get-together fête occasion supper social prom symposium tea party masquerade house party tea cocktail party shower fund-raiser bake mixer orgy soiree stag keg party clambake saturnalia housewarming hen party bacchanalia salon icebreaker bacchanal meet and greet soirée klatch kegger klatsch kaffeeklatsch 2 as in position an assignment at which one regularly works for pay what's your function in this company? Synonyms & Similar Words position job capacity post situation place employ employment connection appointment work office task profession berth billet service occupation duty business calling vocation career spot mission practice pursuit living trade posting livelihood racket engagement line practise gig lifework Antonyms & Near Antonyms avocation unemployment joblessness 3 as in purpose the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists that machine's function is to sort bolts by size Synonyms & Similar Words purpose role task job work capacity part position mission place business duty activity rôle use vocation service participation concern office situation involvement responsibility calling assignment occupation post employ pursuit hand niche affair commission charge function 2 of 2 verb as in to act to have a certain purpose the heart functions as a pump for the blood Synonyms & Similar Words act serve work perform operate control regulate handle guide manage direct run carry on supervise oversee administer Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of function are duty, office, and province. While all these words 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 Although the words duty and function have much in common, 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 While in some cases nearly identical to function, 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 The words province and function can be used in similar contexts, but 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
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function

noun

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing function

Kids Definition

noun

verb

Medical Definition

noun

intransitive verb

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser