Definitions for functionˈfʌŋk ʃən

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

func•tionˈfʌŋk ʃən(n.)

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.
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. a formula expressing a relation between the angles of a triangle and its sides, as sine or cosine.
Category: Math
Ref: Also called correspondence 7 , map 1 3 , mapping 2 , transformation.; hyperbolic function.
the grammatical role a linguistic form has or the position it occupies in a particular construction.
Category: Grammar
the contribution made by a social activity or structure to the maintenance of a social system.
Category: Sociology
(v.i.)to work; operate.
to have or exercise a function; serve.

Origin of function:

1525–35; < L functiō a performance, execution, der. of fungī to perform, execute

func′tion•less(adj.)

Princeton's WordNet

function, mathematical function, single-valued function, map, mapping(noun)
(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)
function, purpose, role, use(noun)
what something is used for
"the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"
function, office, part, role(noun)
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"
function(noun)
a relation such that one thing is dependent on another
"height is a function of age"; "price is a function of supply and demand"
function(noun)
a formal or official social gathering or ceremony
"it was a black-tie function"
affair, occasion, social occasion, function, social function(noun)
a vaguely specified social event
"the party was quite an affair"; "an occasion arranged to honor the president"; "a seemingly endless round of social functions"
routine, subroutine, subprogram, procedure, function(verb)
a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
function, work, operate, go, run(verb)
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"
serve, function(verb)
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"
officiate, function(verb)
perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function
"His wife officiated as his private secretary"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

function(noun)ˈfʌŋk ʃən
the purpose or job that sb or sth has
What is the function of these cells in the body?; The cells perform an important function.
functionˈfʌŋk ʃən
a social or official event
town meetings and other public functions
function(verb)ˈfʌŋk ʃən
to work or operate
The elevator was not functioning.; I can't function until I've drunk my coffee.
functionˈfʌŋk ʃən
to have a particular function
The research center functions as a meeting point for scientists.

Wiktionary

function(Noun)
What something does or is used for.
function(Noun)
A professional or official position.
function(Noun)
An official or social occasion.
function(Noun)
A relation where one thing is dependent on another for its existence, value, or significance.
function(Noun)
A relation in which each element of the domain is associated with exactly one element of the codomain.
function(Noun)
A routine that receives zero or more arguments and may return a result.
function(Noun)
The physiological activity of an organ or body part.
function(Noun)
The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound.
function(Noun)
The role of a social practice in the continued existence of the group.
function(Verb)
to have a function
function(Verb)
to carry on a function; to be in action

Origin: From function, from fonction, from functionem, accusative of function, from functus perfect participle of fungor.

Webster Dictionary

Function(noun)
the act of executing or performing any duty, office, or calling; per formance
Function(noun)
the appropriate action of any special organ or part of an animal or vegetable organism; as, the function of the heart or the limbs; the function of leaves, sap, roots, etc.; life is the sum of the functions of the various organs and parts of the body
Function(noun)
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
Function(noun)
the course of action which peculiarly pertains to any public officer in church or state; the activity appropriate to any business or profession
Function(noun)
a quantity so connected with another quantity, that if any alteration be made in the latter there will 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
Function(verb)
alt. of Functionate