malfunction

[mal-fuhngk-shuhn]

noun

1. failure to function properly.

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

verb (used without object)

1. to fail to function properly.

malfunction

/ mælˈfʌŋkʃən /

verb

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

noun

1. failure to function or defective functioning

Word History and Origins

Origin of malfunction¹

First recorded in 1925–30; mal- + function

Example Sentences

The agency said that a preliminary technical evaluation by Airbus found a computer malfunction may have contributed to that incident.

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Did computer systems in the highly automated wide-body jet somehow malfunction?

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During the study, the team uncovered previously unrecognized contributors to disease progression, including widespread inflammation, immune system malfunction, and shifts in how certain immune cells function.

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More than 90% of patients have the dry type, which develops when retinal pigment epithelial cells begin to malfunction and eventually die.

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"It can be used to boost immunity, compensate for malfunctioning cells," target rare or genetic diseases -- and even treat allergies, she added.

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Related Words

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