functioning

American  

[fuhngk-shuh-ning] / ˈfʌŋk ʃə nɪŋ /

adjective

1. performing a specified action or activity; working; operating.

   My son has only one functioning kidney.

2. (of a person with addiction or other illness or disability) able to cope with everyday life, as at home or at work: functioning diabetics.

   a functioning alcoholic with a successful career;

   functioning diabetics.

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Etymology

Origin of functioning

First recorded in 1835–40; in 1970–75 functioning for def. 2; function ( def. ) (in the sense “to perform an action”) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

There is no official number, but industry observers estimate that fewer than 2,000 wells are functioning in a region that is home to some 12,000.

From Los Angeles Times

"When the blood supply is interrupted, unfortunately the brain stops functioning in a certain area. That can lead to all manner of symptoms, from weakness to visual problems and speech problems."

From BBC

Around him were additional signs of disrepair: an X-ray examination board without a functioning backlight, and a dust-covered ultraviolet sterilization machine that hadn’t worked in months.

From Los Angeles Times

"You can see how many fallen leaves there are... Perfectly healthy leaves that could have kept feeding the plant and functioning for months are falling down," he said.

From Barron's

After 10 years, all three training types were associated with better daily functioning.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• functional
• working