Meaning of “function” in the English Dictionary

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"function" in English

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functionnoun

uk ​ /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/ us ​ /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/

function noun (PURPOSE)

B2 [ C ] the natural purpose (of something) or the duty (of a person):

The function of the veins is to carry blood to the heart.
I'm not quite sure what my function is within the company.
A thermostat performs the function of controlling temperature.

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function noun (CEREMONY)

C1 [ C ] an official ceremony or a formal social event, such as a party or a special meal, at which a lot of people are usually present:

As a mayor, he has a lot of official functions to attend.
I see her two or three times a year, usually at social functions.

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function noun (WORK)

› [ U ] the way in which something works or operates:

It's a disease that affects the function of the nervous system.
Studies suggest that regular intake of the vitamin significantly improves brain function.

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function noun (RESULT)

a function of sth formal

› something that results from something else, or is the way it is because of something else:

His success is a function of his having worked so hard.
The low temperatures here are a function of the terrain as much as of the climate.

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functionverb [ I ]

uk ​ /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/ us ​ /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/

› to work or operate:

You'll soon learn how the office functions.
The television was functioning normally until yesterday.
I'm so tired today, I can barely function.

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Phrasal verb(s)

function as sth/sb

(Definition of “function” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"function" in American English

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functionnoun

us ​ /ˈfʌŋk·ʃən/

function noun (PURPOSE)

› [ C/U ] a purpose or duty, or the way something or someone works:

[ U ] The function of the veins is to carry blood to the heart.
[ C ] One of your functions as receptionist is to answer the phone.

function noun (MATHEMATICAL RELATIONSHIP)

› mathematics [ C ] a relationship between two sets in which each part of the first set is connected with just one member of the second set in number pairs

function noun (CEREMONY)

› [ C ] a social event or official ceremony:

Morse went to the White House for a ceremonial function.

functionverb [ I ]

us ​ /ˈfʌŋk·ʃən/

function verb [ I ] (PERFORM PURPOSE)

› to perform the purpose of a particular thing, or to perform the duties of a particular person:

She quickly learned how the office functions.
I’m so tired today, I can barely function.
Our spare bedroom also functions as a study (= is also used for that purpose).

(Definition of “function” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

"function" in Business English

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functionnoun

uk ​ /ˈfʌŋkʃən/ us ​

› [ C or U ] the purpose that something has:

The perfect marriage between product design and function account for the company’s success in the computer market.
A fundamental function of the Bank of England is the responsibility of carrying out monetary policy operations.

› [ C or U ] a job or task that someone or something does:

My function is to help coordinate efficient communication between the departments.
carry out/perform a function

› [ C ] HR a particular area of responsibility of a company:

a sales/marketing/business function
core/corporate functions Of all the core functions of most companies, innovation has arguably the most competitive value.

› [ C ] IT a process which a computer or a software program uses to complete a task:

a search/save/sort function The website benefits from a highly-efficient search function.

› [ C ] an official occasion or event attended by many people:

a charity/social/work function
be a function of sth

› if something is a function of something else, it is produced as the result of that thing or process:

The increased availability of part-time jobs is a function of the structural changes in the labour market.

See also

consumption function

functionverb [ I ]

uk ​ /ˈfʌŋkʃən/ us ​

› to work correctly and as expected:

function effectively/properly/well
Flights were delayed because the airport computer system was not functioning.

Phrasal verb(s)

function as sth

(Definition of “function” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Blogs about "function"

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