function — English Dictionary

Noun

1. What something does or is used for.

   Synonyms

   aimintentionpurposeroleuse

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   Although they serve the same function across the plant, animal and fungal kingdoms, sperm and eggs vary wildly in their structure and biochemistry, even among closely related species. […] Many genes with reproductive roles also have antibacterial and immune functions, which indicate that the threat of microbial attack on the sperm or egg may be a major influence on rapid evolution during reproduction.

   Glu Mobile, who realigned its workforce towards centralized GaaS functions last year, announced earlier this month that it will shut down GameSpy Technology on May 31. The service provides multiplayer functionality for dozens of games on consoles, computers and mobile devices.

2. A professional or official position.

   Synonyms

   occupationofficepartrole

3. An official or social occasion.

   Synonyms

   affairoccasionsocial occasionsocial function

   Examples

   Our hotel is hosting a function for all the warehouse workers on the night of April 18.

4. An official or social occasion. A party.

   Usage

   • Slang

   Synonyms

   func

5. Something which is dependent on or stems from another thing; a result or concomitant.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Though most of the cases here cover European encounters with non-Europeans, it is not the intention of the book to give the impression that genocide is a function of European colonialism and imperialism alone.

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

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

   Synonyms

   mapmappingmathematical functionoperatortransformation

   Broader terms

   relationmorphism

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

   Synonyms

   procedureroutinesubprogramsubroutinefuncfunct

9. The physiological activity of an organ or body part.

10. The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound.

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

Verb

1. To have a function.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Synonyms

   officiateserve

2. To carry out a function; to be in action.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Synonyms

   gooperaterunwork

   Antonyms

   malfunction

   Examples

   Although the laying workers functioned in a queenlike manner, they were unable to suppress ovarian development as effectively as the queen.

Noun

1. (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)

   Synonyms

   mathematical functionsingle-valued functionmapmapping

   Broader terms

   mathematical relation

2. what something is used for

   Synonyms

   purposeroleuse

   Broader terms

   utilityusefulness

   Examples

   the function of an auger is to bore holes

   ballet is beautiful but what use is it?

3. the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group

   Synonyms

   officepartrole

   Broader terms

   duty

   Examples

   the function of a teacher

   the government must do its part

   More examples (1)

   play its role

4. a relation such that one thing is dependent on another

   Broader terms

   relation

   Examples

   height is a function of age

   price is a function of supply and demand

5. a formal or official social gathering or ceremony

   Broader terms

   affairoccasionsocial occasionsocial functionsocial gatheringsocial affair

   Examples

   it was a black-tie function

6. a formal or official social gathering or ceremony of people

   Synonyms

   affairoccasionsocial occasionsocial functionsocial gatheringsocial affair

   Broader terms

   social eventgatheringassemblage

   Examples

   the party was quite an affair

   an occasion arranged to honor the president

   More examples (1)

   a seemingly endless round of social functions

7. a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program

   Synonyms

   routinesubroutinesubprogramprocedure

   Broader terms

   softwaresoftware programcomputer softwaresoftware systemsoftware packagepackage

Verb

1. perform as expected when applied

   Synonyms

   workoperategorun

   Antonyms

   malfunction

   Broader terms

   performexecutedo

   Examples

   The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in

   Does this old car still run well?

   More examples (1)

   This old radio doesn't work anymore

2. serve a purpose, role, or function

   Synonyms

   serve

   Broader terms

   sufficedoanswerserve

   Examples

   The tree stump serves as a table

   The female students served as a control group

   More examples (3)

   This table would serve very well

   His freedom served him well

   The table functions as a desk

3. perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function

   Synonyms

   officiate

   Broader terms

   serve

   Examples

   His wife officiated as his private secretary