function

[fuhngk-shuhn]

noun

1. the kind of action or activity proper to a person, thing, or institution; the purpose for which something is designed or exists; role.

2. any ceremonious public or social gathering or occasion.

3. a factor related to or dependent upon other factors.

   Price is a function of supply and demand.

4. Mathematics.

   1. Also called correspondence, map, mapping, transformation. a relation between two sets in which one element of the second set is assigned to each element of the first set, as the expression y = x 2 ; operator.

   2. Also called multiple-value function. a relation between two sets in which two or more elements of the second set are assigned to each element of the first set, as y 2 = x 2 , which assigns to every x the two values y = + x and y = − x.

   3. a set of ordered pairs in which none of the first elements of the pairs appears twice.

   4. a relationship in which an input value of a variable has a specifically calculated output value: for example, if the function of x is x 2 , the output will always be the square of whatever the value of x is. f, F

5. Geometry.

   1. a formula expressing a relation between the angles of a triangle and its sides, as sine or cosine.

   2. hyperbolic function.

6. Grammar.

   1. the grammatical role a linguistic form has or the position it occupies in a particular construction.

   2. the grammatical roles or the positions of a linguistic form or form class collectively.

7. Sociology.,  the contribution made by a sociocultural phenomenon to an ongoing social system.

verb (used without object)

1. to perform a specified action or activity; work; operate.

   The computer isn't functioning now. He rarely functions before noon.

2. to have or exercise a function; serve.

   In earlier English the present tense often functioned as a future. This orange crate can function as a chair.

function

/ ˈfʌŋkʃən /

noun

1. the natural action or intended purpose of a person or thing in a specific role

   the function of a hammer is to hit nails into wood

2. an official or formal social gathering or ceremony

3. a factor dependent upon another or other factors

   the length of the flight is a function of the weather

4. Also called: map.  mapping. maths logic a relation between two sets that associates a unique element (the value) of the second (the range) with each element (the argument) of the first (the domain): a many-one relation. Symbol: f( x ) The value of f( x ) for x = 2 is f(2)

verb

1. to operate or perform as specified; work properly

2. (foll by as) to perform the action or role (of something or someone else)

   a coin may function as a screwdriver

function

1. A relationship between two sets that matches each member of the first set with a unique member of the second set. Functions are often expressed as an equation, such as y = x + 5, meaning that y is a function of x such that for any value of x, the value of y will be 5 greater than x.

2. A quantity whose value depends on the value given to one or more related quantities. For example, the area of a square is a function of the length of its sides.

function

1. In mathematics, a quantity whose value is determined by the value of some other quantity. For example, “The yield of this field is a function of the amount of fertilizer applied” means that a given amount of fertilizer will yield an amount of whatever crop is growing.

Other Word Forms

• interfunction adjective
• multifunction adjective
• nonfunctioning adjective
• overfunctioning adjective
• prefunction noun
• refunction verb (used without object)
• subfunction noun
• superfunction noun
• unfunctioning adjective
• well-functioning adjective
• functionless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of function¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin functiōn- (stem of functiō ) “a performance, execution,” equivalent to funct(us) (past participle of fungī ) “performed, executed” + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of function¹

C16: from Latin functiō , from fungī to perform, discharge

Example Sentences

Degraded forests may look intact from above, but they lose a significant portion of their biomass and ecological function.

From Science Daily

In the garage, Warwas designed an ADU that can function as an art studio or rental, featuring a small kitchen, bathroom and enough room for a bed.

From Los Angeles Times

“It is going to have an impact on the county’s ability to function.”

From Los Angeles Times

Tole’s civil lawsuit, filed Monday in Marion County Superior Court, alleges that he suffered “severe permanent disfigurement, loss of function, other physical injuries, emotional distress, and other damages” as a result of Sanchez’s actions.

From Los Angeles Times

Heather Epps, a physiotherapist with expertise in hydrotherapy for cerebral palsy patients, said it could "improve quality of life" thanks to the benefits it had in pain reduction and its ability to improve muscle function.

From BBC

Related Words

• action 
• activity 
• affair 
• behavior 
• business 
• duty 
• exercise 
• objective 
• operation 
• part 
• power 
• purpose 
• responsibility 
• role 
• service 
• situation 
• task 
• work