FUNCTION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does function mean? 

• FUNCTION (noun)
  The noun FUNCTION has 7 senses:

1. (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)

2. what something is used for

3. the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group

4. a relation such that one thing is dependent on another

5. a formal or official social gathering or ceremony

6. a vaguely specified social event

7. a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program

  Familiarity information: FUNCTION used as a noun is common.

• FUNCTION (verb)
  The verb FUNCTION has 3 senses:

1. perform as expected when applied

2. serve a purpose, role, or function

3. perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function

  Familiarity information: FUNCTION used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FUNCTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

Synonyms:

function; map; mapping; mathematical function; single-valued function

Hypernyms ("function" is a kind of...):

mathematical relation (a relation between mathematical expressions (such as equality or inequality))

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "function"):

operator ((mathematics) a symbol or function representing a mathematical operation)

exponential; exponential function (a function in which an independent variable appears as an exponent)

threshold function (a function that takes the value 1 if a specified function of the arguments exceeds a given threshold and 0 otherwise)

circular function; trigonometric function (function of an angle expressed as a ratio of the length of the sides of right-angled triangle containing the angle)

isometry (a one-to-one mapping of one metric space into another metric space that preserves the distances between each pair of points)

transformation ((mathematics) a function that changes the position or direction of the axes of a coordinate system)

metric; metric function (a function of a topological space that gives, for any two points in the space, a value equal to the distance between them)

Kronecker delta (a function of two variables i and j that equals 1 when i=j and equals 0 otherwise)

inverse function (a function obtained by expressing the dependent variable of one function as the independent variable of another; f and g are inverse functions if f(x)=y and g(y)=x)

expansion (a function expressed as a sum or product of terms)

multinomial; polynomial (a mathematical function that is the sum of a number of terms)

Sense 2

Meaning:

What something is used for

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

function; purpose; role; use

Context example:

ballet is beautiful but what use is it?

Hypernyms ("function" is a kind of...):

usefulness; utility (the quality of being of practical use)

Attribute:

functional (designed for or capable of a particular function or use)

nonfunctional (not having or performing a function)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "function"):

raison d'etre (the purpose that justifies a thing's existence)

Derivation:

function (serve a purpose, role, or function)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

function; office; part; role

Context example:

play its role

Hypernyms ("function" is a kind of...):

duty (work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "function"):

hat (an informal term for a person's role)

portfolio (the role of the head of a government department)

lieu; place; position; stead (the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another)

second fiddle (a secondary role or function)

capacity (a specified function)

Derivation:

function (perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A relation such that one thing is dependent on another

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

Context example:

price is a function of supply and demand

Hypernyms ("function" is a kind of...):

relation (an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A formal or official social gathering or ceremony

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Context example:

it was a black-tie function

Hypernyms ("function" is a kind of...):

social affair; social gathering (a gathering for the purpose of promoting fellowship)

Sense 6

Meaning:

A vaguely specified social event

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

affair; function; occasion; social function; social occasion

Context example:

a seemingly endless round of social functions

Hypernyms ("function" is a kind of...):

social event (an event characteristic of persons forming groups)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "function"):

photo op; photo opportunity (an occasion that lends itself to (or is deliberately arranged for) taking photographs that provide favorable publicity for those who are photographed)

sleepover (an occasion of spending a night away from home or having a guest spend the night in your home (especially as a party for children))

fundraiser (a social function that is held for the purpose of raising money)

celebration; jubilation (a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event)

party (an occasion on which people can assemble for social interaction and entertainment)

ceremonial; ceremonial occasion; ceremony; observance (a formal event performed on a special occasion)

Sense 7

Meaning:

A set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

function; procedure; routine; subprogram; subroutine

Hypernyms ("function" is a kind of...):

computer software; package; software; software package; software program; software system ((computer science) written programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system and that are stored in read/write memory)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "function"):

library routine (a debugged routine that is maintained in a program library)

service routine; utility routine (a routine that can be used as needed)

tracing routine (a routine that provides a chronological record of the execution of a computer program)

executive routine; supervisory routine (a routine that coordinates the operation of subroutines)

reusable routine (a routine that can be loaded once and executed repeatedly)

recursive routine (a routine that can call itself)

random number generator (a routine designed to yield a random number)

contingency procedure (an alternative to the normal procedure; triggered if an unusual but anticipated situation arises)

cataloged procedure (a set of control statements that have been placed in a library and can be retrieved by name)

Holonyms ("function" is a part of...):

computer program; computer programme; program; programme ((computer science) a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute)

• FUNCTION (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Perform as expected when applied

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

function; go; operate; run; work

Context example:

This old radio doesn't work anymore

Verb group:

run (be operating, running or functioning)

work (operate in or through)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "function"):

double (do double duty; serve two purposes or have two functions)

roll (begin operating or running)

run (be operating, running or functioning)

cut (function as a cutting instrument)

serve; service (be used by; as of a utility)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sentence example:

These cars won't function

Antonym:

malfunction (fail to function or function improperly)

Derivation:

functioning (process or manner of functioning or operating)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Serve a purpose, role, or function

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

function; serve

Context example:

The table functions as a desk

Hypernyms (to "function" is one way to...):

answer; do; serve; suffice (be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity)

Verb group:

serve; service (be used by; as of a utility)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "function"):

prelude (serve as a prelude or opening to)

act as (function as or act like)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

function (what something is used for)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

function; officiate

Context example:

His wife officiated as his private secretary

Hypernyms (to "function" is one way to...):

serve (do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

function (the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group)

functionary (a worker who holds or is invested with an office)

 Context examples 

This study shows the same is true in our brains, and that age-related brain stiffening has a significant impact on the function of brain stem cells.

(Cambridge scientists reverse ageing process in rat brain stem cells, University of Cambridge)

Later symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, internal and external bleeding (hemorrhage).

(Genetics of the 2014 Ebola Outbreak, NIH)

A survey of multiple dimensions of support, representing the physical functioning scale.

(Medical Outcomes Study Physical Functioning Scale, NCI Thesaurus)

A disorder characterized by the acute loss of renal function and is traditionally classified as pre-renal (low blood flow into kidney), renal (kidney damage) and post-renal causes (ureteral or bladder outflow obstruction).

(Acute Renal Failure, NCI Thesaurus/CTCAE)

At this size, the laser can fit and function inside living tissues, with the potential to sense disease biomarkers or perhaps treat deep-brain neurological disorders, such as epilepsy.

(Tiny, biocompatible laser could function inside living tissues, National Science Foundation)

The lipid bilayer structure of membranes, associated proteins and how it relates to the function.

(Membrane Structure and Function, NCI Thesaurus)

This is the first identification of RNA granules with functions outside cells and organisms.

(Discovery of RNA transfer through royal jelly could aid development of honey bee vaccines, University of Cambridge)

The immunological defects associated with mutation of the WASP gene, the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome for which WASP was named, indicates the importance of this system for normal cellular function.

(Actin Branching Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

A survey of multiple dimensions of functioning and well being, representing the feelings scale.

(Medical Outcomes Study Your Feelings Questionnaire, NCI Thesaurus)

Sudden and sustained deterioration of the kidney function characterized by decreased glomerular filtration rate, increased serum creatinine or oliguria.

(Acute Renal Failure, NCI Thesaurus)