function

function is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/
• SAMPA: /"fVNkS@n/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Hyphenation: func‧tion

Noun

Singular function

Plural functions

1. (countable & uncountable) Something or someone's function is its purpose or its job.

   The army sometimes performs a policing function.

2. (countable) A function is an organised event.

   I met Sylvia at a church function last week.

3. (countable) If $X$ is a function of $Y$, then $X$ exists because of or is affected by $Y$

   The speed of the computer is a function of its main processor.

   When you see, $Y=f(X)$, you read it, "$Y$ is a function of $X$". Here the value of $Y$ depends on the value assigned to the variable $X$.

Verb

Plain form function

Third-person singular functions

Past tense functioned

Past participle functioned

Present participle functioning

1. (intransitive) If something is functioning, it is working and is not completely broken.

   Her heart stopped, but her brain continued to function.

2. (intransitive) If something functions as $X$, it does the job of $X$.

   In this sentence, "sentence" functions as the subject.

Synonyms

• work
• run

Related words

• functional
• functionally
• functionality

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