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function

n. · v.
US //ˈfəŋkʃən// UK //fˈʌŋkʃən// func·tion
  1. 1 purpose or use (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the natural purpose or job of something.

    the natural purpose of a thing or the specific duty of a person.

    Example

    The main function of the heart is to pump blood around the body.

    Example

    The architect argued that the building's aesthetic form should be secondary to its primary function as a community hub.
  2. 2 formal event (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    a large, formal party or official meeting.

    a large or formal social event or official ceremony.

    Example

    He had to wear a suit to the charity function at the town hall.

    Example

    The embassy hosted a formal function to celebrate the signing of the new trade agreement between the two nations.
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  1. 3 math/computing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    a rule that relates one amount to another, or a set of instructions in a computer program.

    a relationship where each input has a single output, or a named section of code that performs a specific task.

    Example

    The programmer wrote a new function to calculate the total price automatically.

    Example

    In functional programming, a pure function must return the same output for the same input without causing side effects.
  2. 4 result of something (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    something that happens as a direct result of something else.

    a variable or factor that depends on and varies with another.

    Example

    Success is often a function of hard work and a bit of luck.

    Example

    The researcher noted that the rate of decay was a direct function of the ambient temperature in the laboratory.
  3. 5 to serve as (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to do the job of something else.

    to serve a particular purpose or fulfill a specific role. Usually followed by the preposition 'as'.

    Example

    During the summer, the sofa functions as a bed for guests.

    Example

    In many ancient societies, myths functioned as a way to explain natural phenomena that were not yet understood by science.
Origin

From Middle French function, from Old French fonction, from Latin functiō (“performance, execution”), from functus, perfect participle of fungor (“to perform, execute, discharge”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewg- (“to enjoy”).

Word family

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