malfunction

American  

[mal-fuhngk-shuhn] / mælˈfʌŋk ʃən /

noun

1. failure to function properly.

   a malfunction of the liver; the malfunction of a rocket.

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verb (used without object)

1. to fail to function properly.

malfunction British  

/ mælˈfʌŋkʃən /

verb

1. (intr) to function imperfectly or irregularly or fail to function

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noun

1. failure to function or defective functioning

Etymology

Origin of malfunction

First recorded in 1925–30; mal- + function

Example Sentences

Since the U.S. struck Iran’s three Iranian nuclear sites last summer, experts say, Iran has conducted tests of a space launch vehicle, one of which appears to have malfunctioned.

From The Wall Street Journal

He policed brushback pitches with ardor and once called a night game for darkness when lighting malfunctions compromised visibility near home plate.

From The Wall Street Journal

A "closed-loop" water cooling system, which works a bit like a car radiator and does not require regular refills, prevents them from malfunctioning.

From Barron's

The second test is believed to have malfunctioned, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior director of the Iran program for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Satellites passing through this region are exposed to elevated levels of radiation, increasing the risk of technical malfunctions, hardware damage, and even temporary outages.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• bug
• defect
• fault
• flaw
• glitch
• impairment