dysfunction

[dis-fuhngk-shuhn]

noun

1. Medicine/Medical.,  malfunctioning, as of an organ or structure of the body.

2. any malfunctioning part or element.

   the dysfunctions of the country's economy.

3. Sociology.,  a consequence of a social practice or behavior pattern that undermines the stability of a social system.

dysfunction

/ dɪsˈfʌŋkʃən /

noun

1. med any disturbance or abnormality in the function of an organ or part

2. (esp of a family) failure to show the characteristics or fulfil the purposes accepted as normal or beneficial

Other Word Forms

• dysfunctional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dysfunction¹

First recorded in 1915–20; dys- + function

Example Sentences

Dr. Iadecola's team is now studying how the accelerated aging of small blood vessels caused by hypertension might lead to dysfunction in interneurons and oligodendrocytes.

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This would punish companies that are doing Chicago a favor by staying in downtown offices despite the city’s dysfunctions, rather than fleeing elsewhere.

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"Since endothelial cells are the first to encounter circulating microplastics, their dysfunction can initiate inflammation and plaque formation."

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Because the drug appears to work by maintaining mitochondrial health, the team believes that the approach may have relevance for other disorders linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

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Could there be a better example of Congressional dysfunction than that its first pressing business after the government reopens is . . . the return of the Jeffrey Epstein follies?

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