From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishmalfunctionmal‧func‧tion /mælˈfʌŋkʃən/ noun [countable] BROKENa fault in the way a machine or part of someone’s body works a malfunction in one of the enginesmalfunction of a malfunction of the immune system an equipment malfunction —malfunction verb [intransitive] A warning light seems to have malfunctioned.
Examples from the Corpus
malfunction• There is a comprehensive range of information before them and their practised eye quickly detects any malfunction.• There have been equipment malfunctions and demanding superstars.• Someone at the plant has to be ready to deal with equipment malfunctions at any time.• No evidence of any disconnection or malfunction of the aileron system prior to ground impact was found.• Other shortages or malfunctions are impending that can lead to acute crises.• More importantly, the display highlights any system or area experiencing abnormal conditions, whether plant malfunction or unacceptable ambience levels.• If you don't, you may find your society malfunctions or that you're unable to progress.• We should not forget our animal origins or our brain's capacity to malfunction or the hidden potential of the unconscious mind.• This heat can cause certain circuit-board components to malfunction or fail altogether. 