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.
was functioning
-
past progressiveof function.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
These detailed images allowed scientists to examine the structure of the heart as well as how effectively it was functioning.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026
The website was functioning normally as of Thursday, and the park is open.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026
Tehran residents, known as Tehranis, said the city was functioning but thinned out after a mass exodus of people who had the means to leave and secure a place elsewhere.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 8, 2026
Officials said a cable along the railway's route snapped, but the rest of the mechanism was functioning properly.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2025
Sam hugged her close, saying, “There, there ...” It made no sense that Sam’s body was functioning in any capacity.
From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs
