Function
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/
- Rhymes: -ʌŋkʃən
Origin
From Middle French function, from Old French fonction, from Latin functionem, accusative of functiÅ ("performance, execution"), from functus perfect participle of fungor ("I perform, I execute, I discharge").
Full definition of function
Noun
function
(plural functions)- What something does or is used for.
- 2013, Katrina G. Claw, Rapid Evolution in Eggs and Sperm, 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.
- A professional or official position.
- (official or social occasion)An official or social occasion.
- A relation where one thing is dependent on another for its existence, value, or significance.
- (mathematics) A relation in which each element of the domain is associated with exactly one element of the codomain.
- (computing) A routine that receives zero or more arguments and may return a result.
- (biology) The physiological activity of an organ or body part.
- (chemistry) The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound.
- (anthropology) The role of a social practice in the continued existence of the group.
Synonyms
- (what something does or is used for) aim, intention, purpose, role, use
- (professional or official position) occupation, office, part, role
- (official or social occasion) affair, occasion, social occasion, social function
- (analysis: many-to-one relation) many-to-one map, many-to-one mapping, mathematical function, operation, transformation
- (computing: routine that returns a result) procedure, routine, subprogram, subroutine
Hypernyms
- (mathematics) relation
Derived terms
Verb
- (intransitive) to have a function
- (intransitive) to carry on a function; to be in action
Antonyms
- (to carry on a function) malfunction