mal·func·tion
ˌmal-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 
malfunctioned; malfunctioning; malfunctions
: to function imperfectly or badly : fail to operate normally
plural malfunctions
: a failure to operate or function in the normal or correct manner : the action or an instance of malfunctioning
a hardware/equipment malfunction
Once thought to be a disease itself dropsy is now known to be a sign of several kinds of body malfunction, especially congestive heart failure and kidney disease.—
C. Clairborne Ray
C. Clairborne RayIn schizophrenia this filtering system malfunctions or short-circuits. This malfunction causes people to misevaluate what they see, hear, and experience in their environment.—Richard Crino
Richard Crino
Did you know?
A malfunctioning switch might keep us from turning on a light. A malfunctioning heart valve might require replacement with an artificial valve, and if your immune system malfunctions it may start to attack healthy cells. And a malfunction in a voting machine could result in hundreds of votes being miscounted.
Examples of malfunction in a Sentence
Verb
A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 16 Jan. 2025
Darnold’s system malfunctioned in almost every regard.
—Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Remote employees often encounter technical issues that can disrupt productivity, from software errors to hardware malfunctions.
—Rhett Power, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for malfunction 
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Verb
The main parachute for Nena Mason, 62, malfunctioned, according to a San Joaquin County death investigation.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 16 Jan. 2025
Darnold’s system malfunctioned in almost every regard.
—Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
The vessel, believed to be part of Moscow's shadow fleet, broke down due to an engine malfunction.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Remote employees often encounter technical issues that can disrupt productivity, from software errors to hardware malfunctions.
—Rhett Power, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for malfunction
Dictionary Entries Near malfunction
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malfunction. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malfunction
verb
mal·func·tion
(ˈ)mal-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən
: to fail to function or operate properly
malfunction
noun
Medical Definition
malfunction
intransitive verb
mal·func·tion
(ˈ)mal-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən
: to function imperfectly or badly : fail to operate in the normal or usual manner
malfunctioning kidneys
malfunction
noun
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