misfunction

1 of 2

noun

mis·​func·​tion ˌmis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən How to pronounce misfunction (audio)
plural misfunctions
: failure to function in a normal or correct way
Presidential criticism is rarely provoked by the usual ongoing malfunctions and misfunctions of the press.Hodding Carter III

misfunction

2 of 2

verb

misfunctioned; misfunctioning

intransitive verb

: to function abnormally or incorrectly : malfunction
His radio had misfunctioned—he could talk to his crew but couldn't hear them—so the decision to drive conservatively and stretch his fuel had been all his.Sam Moses

Examples of misfunction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Ibrahim Cissé, 38, of Pasadena, California: Cellular biophysicist developing microscopy tools to investigate the subcellular processes underlying genetic regulation and misfunction. Grace Hauck, USA TODAY, 28 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'misfunction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misfunction was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near misfunction

Cite this Entry

“Misfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misfunction. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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