malfunction

[mal-fuhngk-shuh n]

See more synonyms for malfunction on Thesaurus.com

noun

failure to function properly: a malfunction of the liver; the malfunction of a rocket.

verb (used without object)

to fail to function properly.

Origin of malfunction

First recorded in 1925–30; mal- + function

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for malfunctioning

Contemporary Examples

Obamacare is a fact— a malfunctioning fact, like so much of the rest of the American healthcare system, yet a fact all the same.
Why It’s Time To Start Talking About Reforming, Not Repealing, Obamacare
David Frum
November 17, 2013
For example, research has shown that most carbon-monoxide alarm incidents are triggered by a malfunctioning furnace.
How to Hack the Perfect Home
Daniel Gross
November 15, 2013
I can, on my own, determine which malfunctioning systems are OK to fly with, and which are not?
Think American Airlines Is Rotten? You Have No Idea How Good You Have It
Patrick Smith
October 11, 2012
It happens every election: mysterious fliers, robocalls, malfunctioning machines that deny blacks the right to vote.
Michael Tomasky on How the GOP Plans to Block the Black Vote
Michael Tomasky
August 13, 2012
Pain produced by a malfunctioning nerve can be extremely severe.
We're Still Stuck With Predatory Insurance Companies
Noah Kristula-Green
March 28, 2012

Historical Examples

But the medics think it was some malfunctioning of the lungs.
Ten From Infinity
Paul W. Fairman
It is a typical example of malfunctioning, probably as vivid as the language of politics.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin

British Dictionary definitions for malfunctioning

malfunction

verb

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

noun

failure to function or defective functioning

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for malfunctioning

malfunction

n.

1827, from mal- "bad, badly, wrong" + function. As a verb, by 1888. Related: Malfunctioned; malfunctioning.

malfunctioning in Medicine

malfunction

(măl-fŭngk′shən)

To fail to function.
To function improperly.

Failure to function.
Faulty or abnormal functioning.

malfunction

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}malfunction

Related Words

Examples from the Web for malfunctioning

Contemporary Examples

Obamacare is a fact— a malfunctioning fact, like so much of the rest of the American healthcare system, yet a fact all the same.

For example, research has shown that most carbon-monoxide alarm incidents are triggered by a malfunctioning furnace.

I can, on my own, determine which malfunctioning systems are OK to fly with, and which are not?

It happens every election: mysterious fliers, robocalls, malfunctioning machines that deny blacks the right to vote.

Pain produced by a malfunctioning nerve can be extremely severe.

Historical Examples

But the medics think it was some malfunctioning of the lungs.

It is a typical example of malfunctioning, probably as vivid as the language of politics.

malfunction

Word Origin and History for malfunctioning

malfunction

n.

malfunction

Origin of malfunction