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
Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025
In ’04, Janet Jackson’s malfunctioning wardrobe led to a run of safer, older acts such as Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Tom Petty.
—Bloomberg News, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2025
Theo Burman, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
On motorcycles, brake-by-wire would require a lot of redundancy and failsafes to make sure that the smallest malfunction wouldn't endanger the rider.
—New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
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Verb
Changing these interactions can lead to different chemical reactions and malfunctioning cells in our bodies.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025
In ’04, Janet Jackson’s malfunctioning wardrobe led to a run of safer, older acts such as Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Tom Petty.
—Bloomberg News, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2025
Noun
Upon inspection, it was revealed the product contained undisclosed egg whites, which happened due to a packaging malfunction.
—Theo Burman, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
On motorcycles, brake-by-wire would require a lot of redundancy and failsafes to make sure that the smallest malfunction wouldn't endanger the rider.
—New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malfunction. Accessed 3 Mar. 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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