From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfunctionfunc‧tion1 /ˈfʌŋkʃən/ ●●● S3 W1 AWL noun 1 [countable, uncountable]PURPOSE the purpose that something has, or the job that someone or something doesperform/fulfil a function In your new job you will perform a variety of functions. The church fulfils a valuable social function. The nervous system regulates our bodily functions (=eating, breathing, going to the toilet etc). Bauhaus architects thought that function was more important than form.2 [countable]PARTY a large party or official event This room may be hired for weddings and other functions.► see thesaurus at party3 [countable usually singular] technical a quantity or quality whose value changes according to another quantity or quality that is related to it The degree of drought is largely a function of temperature and drainage.4 [countable]TD one of the basic operations performed by a computer
Examples from the Corpus
function• Oral fluids are introduced gradually until a normal level is reached. 4 Once bowel function returns diet is gradually re-introduced.• The part of the job he liked best was standing up at grand civic functions and bathing in the applause.• His specialist service is in constant demand for big corporate functions.• The Lavender Room can be booked for functions or parties.• Hepatic damage has also been reported; thus, periodic liver functions should be done.• The main function of the bars is to protect the driver's legs.• Kerberos may be adequate for those who do not need the more robust functions and properties of public-key systems.• This reflects the Society's function to monitor and maintain the highest professional standards.• The Great Hall is available for weddings and other social functions.• Each basket is designed to perform a specific function, from carrying corn to holding babies.• The defining metaphor for this innovation was the biological cell, which performs specific functions and communicates with other cells.• Part of her duties is attending official state functions.• This teaching function, though, declined sharply after 1380 with the establishment of Durham College at Oxford.• Bauhaus architects thought that function was more important than form.• Several instructors could not answer questions about the function of a particular switch.• Long term exercise changes the function of the heart, blood, and muscles.• What is the function of literature in our society?• The function of this gene is to block the uncontrolled division of cells; it therefore prevents the development of cancer.• Yet it does perform a number of useful functions. 1.perform/fulfil a function• If the monarchy is perceived as fulfilling a function, then royalty have a job to do.• Recurrent networks can perform functions such as automatic gain control or energy normalization and selecting a maximum in complex systems.• He performed a function of obvious urgency.• Party officials may perform functions that in non-communist regimes would be reserved for public servants.• We are asked, instead, to perform a function that the Constitution gave to the Executive, not the Judiciary.functionfunction2 ●●○ AWL verb [intransitive] 1 WORKING/NOT BROKENto work in the correct or intended way SYN operatefunction normally/correctly/properly etc Flights in and out of Taipei are functioning normally again. Her legs have now ceased to function. You know I can’t function (=cannot perform normal activities) without a coffee in the morning.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say that something works rather than functions:If the system is working as it should, you’ll be paid within two weeks.2 WORKING/NOT BROKENif something functions in a particular way, it works in that way an understanding of how the economy functions → function as something→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
function• But the land lab continues to function as a base for their operations.• Even if your memory starts functioning by then the forecast is diabolical.• This is a real, functioning dictionary, an astonishingly impressive work of reference and research, however you look at it.• It is worthwhile stating the obvious, that biosensors do not function for ever and will fail eventually.• As well as not functioning in a submersed situation, dying cells, releasing adverse substances will pollute the water.• Ancient Egyptians used herbs to help the stomach function naturally.• Cocaine users often feel as though they need the drug to relieve themselves of the tired feeling and to function normally.• About two-thirds of all collisions at state public crossings actually occur where everything is functioning properly.• The alarm system was not functioning when the paintings were stolen.function normally/correctly/properly etc• About two-thirds of all collisions at state public crossings actually occur where everything is functioning properly.• Cocaine users often feel as though they need the drug to relieve themselves of the tired feeling and to function normally.• In the past most of us have been unaware of these signs and that is why our body ceases to function normally.• Otherwise, with the possible exception of isolated pixels, it appears that these routines function correctly.• The bacteria can enter the bloodstream, but are usually quickly destroyed when antibodies and the immune system function properly.• It may be that that individual does not function normally as a consequence of the sensory deprivation.• The librarian himself may well be closely involved, but the controlling function normally rests with head of acquisitions.• Provided the liver is functioning normally, the amount of dye retained after 45 minutes should be less than 6 percent.From Longman Business Dictionaryfunctionfunc‧tion1 /ˈfʌŋkʃən/ noun1[countable] the purpose for which something is made or used, or the job that someone doesSYNROLEThe main function of a cash-machine is to provide people with cash when the bank is shut.He was once asked what he considered the function of a chairman to be.In your new job you will be expected to perform many differentfunctions.For accounting purposes the Bank’s function as the issuer of currency notes is shown separately from its banking activities.2[uncountable] the way in which something works or operates, or the way in which it is usedPeople buy design rather than function; otherwise why bother to design a beer can? The beer stays the same.3sales/personnel/accounting etc functionHUMAN RESOURCES the part of a company that is responsible for sales, accounting etcWhy do companies use headhunters instead of their own in-house recruiting facilities and personnel function?The more efficient a company’s accounting function might be, the less time it should take to do the audit.4[countable]COMPUTING an operation or series of operations performed by a computer or a computer programYou press the Ins key once to turn on a function and press it again to turn off the same function.5a function of if one thing is a function of another, it is produced by or varies according to the other thingThe unit price at any time is a function of the prevailing interest rates and the risk involved.For marketing purposes, purchases by customers are assumed to be a function of advertising and promotional expenditure. → see also consumption functionfunctionfunction2 verb [intransitive]1to work or operateCan you explain exactly how this new system will function?Different types of organizations will require differing types of budgets to enable them to function effectively.A manager should identify and resolve factors stopping a member of staff from functioning properly.2MANUFACTURINGif a machine or system functions, it works or operates in the way that it is supposed toWe usually run tests to check that the air conditioning system is functioning properly.Hospitals function in spite of the system, but only because of the enormous professional devotion of their staffs. → function as something→ See Verb tableOrigin function1 (1500-1600) Latin functio, from fungi “to perform” 