malfunction
noun
failure to function properly.
had malfunctioned
-
past perfectof malfunction.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
According to the MMWR, investigators said the cooling tower had malfunctioned, leading to either very little or no injection of chemicals that would prevent bacterial growth.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026
Drones, he noted, were excluded from a joint Korean-U.S. special forces exercise this year, as some had malfunctioned on a previous drill.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 26, 2023
Their boat, which had malfunctioned and drifted toward the island nation, was heading to Indonesia, said Capt. Gayan Wickramasuriya, a spokesman for the Sri Lanka Navy.
From New York Times ● Dec. 20, 2022
Inspections by divers and engineers found that the 33-tonne starboard propeller had malfunctioned, with a coupling holding it in place breaking.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2022
It was like something inside of him had malfunctioned, and he was going to keep rambling until his batteries died.
From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson
