function
noun
the kind of action or activity proper to a person, thing, or institution; the purpose for which something is designed or exists; role.
has functioned
-
present perfectof function (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
Married to the legendary Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee until his death in 2014, Quinn has functioned, at least since the 1980s, as the self-appointed spokeswoman of the nation’s permanent political establishment.
From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026
The conflict has functioned as an accelerated stress test, compressing years of operational learning into months and validating or refuting assumptions about real-world system performance.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 29, 2026
For 30 years Somaliland has functioned as a state.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 7, 2026
He has functioned as a fixer of sorts, drawing on his long history as a developer and his bulging Rolodex to connect people, while remaining a frequent presence in the community.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 11, 2025
In the past, this same Long Division has functioned in the Brooklyn Bridge, in the Hoosac Tunnel, and Washington Monument, in the Simplon Pass, and in Eiffel Tower.
From The Vitalized School by Francis B. Pearson
