Definitions for function
ˈfʌŋk ʃənfunc·tion

Princeton's WordNet(3.50 / 8 votes)Rate this definition:

1. function, mathematical function, single-valued function, map, mappingnoun

   (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. function, purpose, role, usenoun

   what something is used for

   "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"

3. function, office, part, rolenoun

   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. functionnoun

   a relation such that one thing is dependent on another

   "height is a function of age"; "price is a function of supply and demand"

5. functionnoun

   a formal or official social gathering or ceremony

   "it was a black-tie function"

6. affair, occasion, social occasion, function, social functionnoun

   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"

7. routine, subroutine, subprogram, procedure, functionverb

   a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program

8. function, work, operate, go, runverb

   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. serve, functionverb

   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. officiate, functionverb

    perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function

    "His wife officiated as his private secretary"

Wiktionary(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. functionnoun

   What something does or is used for.

2. functionnoun

   A professional or official position.

3. functionnoun

   An official or social occasion.

4. functionnoun

   A relation where one thing is dependent on another for its existence, value, or significance.

5. functionnoun

   A relation in which each element of the domain is associated with exactly one element of the codomain.

6. functionnoun

   A routine that receives zero or more arguments and may return a result.

7. functionnoun

   The physiological activity of an organ or body part.

8. functionnoun

   The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound.

9. functionnoun

   The role of a social practice in the continued existence of the group.

10. functionverb

    to have a function

11. functionverb

    to carry on a function; to be in action

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

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Functionnoun

   Etymology: functio, Latin.

   1. Discharge; performance.

   There is hardly a greater difference between two things than there is between a representing commoner in the function of his publick calling, and the same person in common life. Jonathan Swift.

   2. Employment; office.

   The ministry is not now bound to any one tribe: now none is secluded from that function of any degree, state, or calling. John Whitgift.

   You have paid the heav’ns your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure.

   Nor was it any policy of state, or obstinacy of will, or partiality of affection either to the men or their function, which fixed me. Charles I .

   This double function of the goddess gives a considerable light and beauty to the ode which Quintus Horatius Flaccus has addressed to her. Joseph Addison, Remarks on Italy.

   Let not these indignities discourage us from asserting the just privileges and pre-eminence of our holy function and character. Francis Atterbury, Sermons.

   3. Single act of any office.

   Without difference those functions cannot, in orderly sort, be executed. Richard Hooker.

   They have several offices and prayers against fire, tempests, and especially for the dead, in which functions they use sacerdotal garments. Edward Stillingfleet, Def. of Disc. on Rom. Idol.

   4. Trade; occupation.

   Follow your function; go, and batten on cold bits. William Shakespeare.

   5. Office of any particular part of the body.

   The bodies of men, and other animals, are excellently well fitted for life and motion; and the several parts of them well adapted to their particular functions. Richard Bentley, Sermons.

   6. Power; faculty.

   Tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect,
   A broken voice, and his whole function suiting
   With forms to his conceit. William Shakespeare, Hamlet.

   Nature seems
   In all her functions weary of herself:
   My race of glory run, and race of shame;
   And I shall shortly be with them that rest. John Milton.

   Whatever warms the heart, or fills the head,
   As the mind opens, and its functions spread,
   Imagination plies her dang’rous art,
   And pours it all upon the peccant part. Alexander Pope.

   Though every human constitution is morbid, yet are their diseases consistent with the common functions of life. Arbuthn.

Webster Dictionary(2.00 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Functionnoun

   the act of executing or performing any duty, office, or calling; per formance

2. Functionnoun

   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

3. Functionnoun

   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. Functionnoun

   the course of action which peculiarly pertains to any public officer in church or state; the activity appropriate to any business or profession

5. Functionnoun

   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

6. Functionverb

   alt. of Functionate

7. Etymology: [L. functio, fr. fungi to perform, execute, akin to Skr. bhuj to enjoy, have the use of: cf. F. fonction. Cf. Defunct.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(4.00 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Function

   fungk′shun, n. the doing of a thing: duty peculiar to any office: faculty, exercise of faculty: the peculiar office of any part of the body or mind: power: a solemn service: (math.) a quantity so connected with another that any change in the one produces a corresponding change in the other: the technical term in physiology for the vital activity of organ, tissue, or cell.—adj. Func′tional, pertaining to or performed by functions—opp. to Organic or Structural.—vs.t. Func′tionalise, Func′tionate.—adv. Func′tionally.—n. Func′tionary, one who discharges any duty: one who holds an office.—adj. Func′tionless, having no function. [O. Fr.,—L. function-em—fungi, functus, to perform.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. function

   To serve a purpose according to the creation or design.

   The function of the machinery was to ensure the crew spent less time doing manual work, it was very effective.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on January 25, 2020  

Entomology(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Function

   the work or duty which a given part or organ normally performs.

Matched Categories

1. • Mathematical Relation
   • Mathematics
   • Relation
   • Serve
   • Social Event
   • Social Gathering

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'function' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1358

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'function' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1365

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'function' in Nouns Frequency: #334

4. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'function' in Verbs Frequency: #814

How to pronounce function?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say function in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of function in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of function in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of function in a Sentence

1. Andre Hill:

   The grand jury's function is singular -- to determine if there is probable cause to indict. This is a much different and more importantly, much lower standard than what the State of Ohio will have to prove come trial.

2. Neil Kline:

   Too often, we prioritize work and social events over our sleep, when we don't receive adequate sleep, we do not function at our peak and we increase the risk for poor health outcomes.

3. Janice Stauffer:

   I used to feel like my sleep habit was a curse because I fought with it for so long, i kept thinking,' I need more sleep, I need more sleep, it's two in the morning and I need to go back to sleep,' because you're told you need eight hours of sleep to be healthy and able to function.

4. Baltasar Kormakur:

   I actually kind of was drawn to the mountain the closer I got to it, I have to admit that, i do understand people who actually do this, either for passion or for work. I think in some ways you get the most real version of yourself, you can get to the core of who you are and there is something existential...to figure out who you are in nature and how you function in nature.

5. Ravi Shah:

   Exercise testing provides a comprehensive look at the entire body, integrating the function of the heart, lungs, muscle, bone, and fat tissue, studies that help us understand how these organ systems interact are crucial to understanding how exercise and fitness may benefit people.

Popularity rank by frequency of use