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
Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 4 Nov. 2024
The issue that triggered this setback was a malfunctioning throttle, attributed to a piece of rubber lodged in the throttle body.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
Dr. Ruth Gotian, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
The country singer revealed her most recent onstage wardrobe malfunction to PEOPLE earlier this month.
—Chiara Kim, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for malfunction 
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Verb
The Chargers’ bend-but-don’t-break defense more than made up for a malfunctioning offense during the second half.
—Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 4 Nov. 2024
The issue that triggered this setback was a malfunctioning throttle, attributed to a piece of rubber lodged in the throttle body.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
With a critical malfunction threatening the mission, Collins and her crew faced high-stakes maneuvers and daring spacewalks.
—Dr. Ruth Gotian, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
The country singer revealed her most recent onstage wardrobe malfunction to PEOPLE earlier this month.
—Chiara Kim, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
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 29 Nov. 2024.
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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