MALFUNCTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does malfunction mean? 

• MALFUNCTION (noun)
  The noun MALFUNCTION has 1 sense:

1. a failure to function normally

  Familiarity information: MALFUNCTION used as a noun is very rare.

• MALFUNCTION (verb)
  The verb MALFUNCTION has 1 sense:

1. fail to function or function improperly

  Familiarity information: MALFUNCTION used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MALFUNCTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A failure to function normally

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

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

failure (an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose)

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

blowout (a sudden malfunction of a part or apparatus)

stall (a malfunction in the flight of an aircraft in which there is a sudden loss of lift that results in a downward plunge)

Derivation:

malfunction (fail to function or function improperly)

• MALFUNCTION (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they malfunction    ... he / she / it malfunctions   
Past simple: malfunctioned   
Past participle: malfunctioned   
-ing form: malfunctioning   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Fail to function or function improperly

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

malfunction; misfunction

Context example:

the coffee maker malfunctioned

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

break; break down; conk out; die; fail; give out; give way; go; go bad (stop operating or functioning)

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

jam (get stuck and immobilized)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Antonym:

function (perform as expected when applied)

Derivation:

malfunction (a failure to function normally)

 Context examples 

A device designed to prevent malfunction, unsafe, or unauthorized operation of a device or system.

(Fail-Safe System Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

The study of the immune system and its reaction to pathogens, as well as its malfunctions (autoimmune diseases, allergies, rejection of organ transplants).

(Immunology, NCI Thesaurus)

Issue associated with safety features malfunctioning in such a way that results in harm to the patient or device operator.

(Fail-Safe Mechanism Design Failure Medical Device Problem, Food and Drug Administration)

Testing the power sources in a device e.g., battery, internal power supply to detect any malfunction.

(Device Power Source Testing Evaluation Method, Food and Drug Administration)

Device malfunctions that arise from problems with its components or materials or how its materials or components react to other elements either within the device or within the environment.

(Device Materials and Chemistry Problem Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)

A device that malfunctions as the result of exposure to the temperatures that are outside of those in the device's specifications.

(Improper Device Temperature Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)

Issue associated with device failure and malfunction when device does not display adequate results or have proper display.

(Incorrect Display Medical Device Problem, Food and Drug Administration)

Issue associated with malfunction of the computer operating system as opposed to an application software issue.

(Operating System Interface Becomes Non-Functional Software Problem Associated with Medical Device, Food and Drug Administration)

A coded value specifying the defect or malfunction that occurred during use of the suspect device whether or not the problem is associated with an adverse event.

(Performed Product Investigation Result Device Malfunction Code, NCI Thesaurus)

Malfunctioning urinary bladder due to central nervous system disorders or damage to the peripheral nerves that are involved in the control of urination.

(Neurogenic Bladder, NCI Thesaurus)