function

[ fuhngk-shuhn ]

/ ˈfʌŋk ʃən /

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See synonyms for: function / functioned / functioning / functions on Thesaurus.com

noun

the kind of action or activity proper to a person, thing, or institution; the purpose for which something is designed or exists; role.

any ceremonious public or social gathering or occasion.

a factor related to or dependent upon other factors: Price is a function of supply and demand.

Mathematics.

Also called correspondence, map, mapping, transformation. a relation between two sets in which one element of the second set is assigned to each element of the first set, as the expression y = x2; operator.
Also called mul·ti·ple-val·ue func·tion [muhl-tuh-puhl-val-yoo fuhngk-shuhn]. /ˈmʌl tə pəlˈvæl yu ˈfʌŋk ʃən/. a relation between two sets in which two or more elements of the second set are assigned to each element of the first set, as y2 = x2, which assigns to every x the two values y = +x and y = −x.
a set of ordered pairs in which none of the first elements of the pairs appears twice.
a relationship in which an input value of a variable has a specifically calculated output value: for example, if the function of x is x2, the output will always be the square of whatever the value of x is. Abbreviations: f, F

Geometry.

a formula expressing a relation between the angles of a triangle and its sides, as sine or cosine.
hyperbolic function.

Grammar.

the grammatical role a linguistic form has or the position it occupies in a particular construction.
the grammatical roles or the positions of a linguistic form or form class collectively.

Sociology. the contribution made by a sociocultural phenomenon to an ongoing social system.

verb (used without object)

to perform a specified action or activity; work; operate: The computer isn't functioning now. He rarely functions before noon.

to have or exercise a function; serve: In earlier English the present tense often functioned as a future. This orange crate can function as a chair.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of function

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin functiōn- (stem of functiō ) “a performance, execution,” equivalent to funct(us) (past participle of fungī ) “performed, executed” + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM function

in·ter·func·tion, adjectivemul·ti·func·tion, adjectivenon·func·tion·ing, adjectiveo·ver·func·tion·ing, adjective

pre·func·tion, nounre·func·tion, verb (used without object)sub·func·tion, nounsu·per·func·tion, nounun·func·tion·ing, adjectivewell-func·tion·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use function in a sentence

The best comparison here for an American audience is, well, Internet stuff.
Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie|Arthur Chu|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Then add in all bored people, as well as people whose job it is to report on celebrities.
Sia and Shia LaBeouf’s Pedophilia Nontroversy Over ‘Elastic Heart’|Marlow Stern|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The well, ghost or no ghost, is certainly a piece of history with a bold presence.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In front of this strange structure are two blank-faced, well-dressed models showing off the latest in European minimalism.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

It is the obligation of citizens and journalists as well as governments.
Why We Stand With Charlie Hebdo—And You Should Too|John Avlon|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Wurzel was quite right; they had been supplied, regardless of cost, from Messrs. Rochet and Stole's well-known establishment.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
The big room at King's Warren Parsonage was already fairly well filled.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
The country is well inhabited, for it contains fifty-one cities, near a hundred walled towns, and a great number of villages.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
Before he could finish the sentence the Hole-keeper said snappishly, "Well, drop out again—quick!"
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
Old Mrs. Wurzel and the buxom but not too well-favoured heiress of the house of Grains were at the head of the table.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

British Dictionary definitions for function

function

/ (ˈfʌŋkʃən) /

noun

the natural action or intended purpose of a person or thing in a specific rolethe function of a hammer is to hit nails into wood

an official or formal social gathering or ceremony

a factor dependent upon another or other factorsthe length of the flight is a function of the weather

Also called: map, mapping maths logic a relation between two sets that associates a unique element (the value) of the second (the range) with each element (the argument) of the first (the domain): a many-one relation. Symbol: f(x) The value of f(x) for x = 2 is f(2)

verb (intr)

to operate or perform as specified; work properly

(foll by as) to perform the action or role (of something or someone else)a coin may function as a screwdriver

Derived forms of function

functionless, adjective

Word Origin for function

C16: from Latin functiō, from fungī to perform, discharge

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

Scientific definitions for function

function

[ fŭngk′shən ]

A relationship between two sets that matches each member of the first set with a unique member of the second set. Functions are often expressed as an equation, such as y = x + 5, meaning that y is a function of x such that for any value of x, the value of y will be 5 greater than x.

A quantity whose value depends on the value given to one or more related quantities. For example, the area of a square is a function of the length of its sides.

Cultural definitions for function

function

In mathematics, a quantity whose value is determined by the value of some other quantity. For example, “The yield of this field is a function of the amount of fertilizer applied” means that a given amount of fertilizer will yield an amount of whatever crop is growing.

function

Origin of function

OTHER WORDS FROM function

Words related to function

How to use function in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for function

Derived forms of function

Word Origin for function

Scientific definitions for function

Cultural definitions for function