Etymology: (1525–35; < L functiō a performance, execution, der. of fungī to perform, execute)
Definition of 'Function'
Princeton's WordNet
1. (noun)function, mathematical function, single-valued function, map, mapping (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)
2. (noun)function, purpose, role, use what something is used for "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"
3. (noun)function, office, part, role the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group "the function of a teacher"; "the government must do its part"; "play its role"
4. (noun)function a relation such that one thing is dependent on another "height is a function of age"; "price is a function of supply and demand"
6. (noun)affair, occasion, social occasion, function, social function a vaguely specified socialevent "the party was quite an affair"; "an occasion arranged to honor the president"; "a seemingly endless round of social functions"
7. (verb)routine, subroutine, subprogram, procedure, function a set sequence of steps, part of larger computerprogram
8. (verb)function, work, operate, go, run perform as expected when applied "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore"
9. (verb)serve, function serve a purpose, role, or function "The tree stump serves as a table"; "The female students served as a control group"; "This table would serve very well"; "His freedom served him well"; "The table functions as a desk"
10. (verb)officiate, function perform duties attached to a particularoffice or place or function "His wife officiated as his private secretary"
3. (noun)Function the natural or assigned action of any power or faculty, as of the soul, or of the intellect; the exertion of an energy of some determinate kind
4. (noun)Function the course of action which peculiarly pertains to any public officer in church or state; the activity appropriate to any business or profession
5. (noun)Function a quantity so connected with another quantity, that if any alteration be made in the lattertherewill be a consequent alteration in the former. Each quantity is said to be a function of the other. Thus, the circumference of a circle is a function of the diameter. If x be a symbol to which different numerical values can be assigned, such expressions as x2, 3x, Log. x, and Sin. x, are all functions of x