function

Word family  noun function functionality adjective functional verb function adverb functionally

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Computers, Maths

func·tion1 /ˈfʌŋkʃən/ ●●● S3 W1 AWL noun  1  [countable, uncountable]PURPOSE the purpose that something has, or the job that someone or something does 〔事物的〕功能；作用；〔某人的〕职责perform/fulfil a function In your new job you will perform a variety of functions. 在新的工作岗位上，你将要履行许多不同的职责。 The church fulfils a valuable social function. 教会起着很重要的社会作用。 The nervous system regulates our bodily functions (=eating, breathing, going to the toilet etc). 神经系统控制着我们身体的功能。 Bauhaus architects thought that function was more important than form. 包豪斯学派的建筑师认为功能重于形式。2  [countable]PARTY a large party or official event 大型聚会；仪式；典礼 This room may be hired for weddings and other functions. 这个房间可以租来举办婚礼或其他活动。► see thesaurus at party3  [countable usually singular] technical a quantity or quality whose value changes according to another quantity or quality that is related to it 函数；随变数而变化的因素 The degree of drought is largely a function of temperature and drainage. 干旱程度主要取决于气温和排水。4. [countable]TD one of the basic operations performed by a computer 〔计算机的〕功能

Examples from the Corpus

function• Oral fluids are introduced gradually until a normal level is reached. 4 Once bowel function returns diet is gradually re-introduced.• The part of the job he liked best was standing up at grand civic functions and bathing in the applause.• His specialist service is in constant demand for big corporate functions.• The Lavender Room can be booked for functions or parties.• Hepatic damage has also been reported; thus, periodic liver functions should be done.• The main function of the bars is to protect the driver's legs.• Kerberos may be adequate for those who do not need the more robust functions and properties of public-key systems.• This reflects the Society's function to monitor and maintain the highest professional standards.• The Great Hall is available for weddings and other social functions.• Each basket is designed to perform a specific function, from carrying corn to holding babies.• The defining metaphor for this innovation was the biological cell, which performs specific functions and communicates with other cells.• Part of her duties is attending official state functions.• This teaching function, though, declined sharply after 1380 with the establishment of Durham College at Oxford.• Bauhaus architects thought that function was more important than form.• Several instructors could not answer questions about the function of a particular switch.• Long term exercise changes the function of the heart, blood, and muscles.• What is the function of literature in our society?• The function of this gene is to block the uncontrolled division of cells; it therefore prevents the development of cancer.• Yet it does perform a number of useful functions. 1.perform/fulfil a function• If the monarchy is perceived as fulfilling a function, then royalty have a job to do.• Recurrent networks can perform functions such as automatic gain control or energy normalization and selecting a maximum in complex systems.• He performed a function of obvious urgency.• Party officials may perform functions that in non-communist regimes would be reserved for public servants.• We are asked, instead, to perform a function that the Constitution gave to the Executive, not the Judiciary.function2 ●●○ AWL verb [intransitive]  1  WORKING/NOT BROKENto work in the correct or intended way 起作用，正常运转 SYN operatefunction normally/correctly/properly etc Flights in and out of Taipei are functioning normally again. 进出台北的航班又恢复正常了。 Her legs have now ceased to function. 她的双腿现在已经丧失正常功能了。 You know I can’t function (=cannot perform normal activities) without a coffee in the morning. 你知道的，我早上不喝杯咖啡就无法工作。 RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say that something works rather than functions: 在日常英语中，人们表示某物正常运作，一般说work，而不说functionIf the system is working as it should, you’ll be paid within two weeks. 如果系统正常运作的话，你会在两周内收到款项。2  WORKING/NOT BROKENif something functions in a particular way, it works in that way 〔以某种方式〕运作，运转 an understanding of how the economy functions 对于经济如何运行的一种看法3 function as something phrasal verb WORKING/NOT BROKENif something functions as a particular thing, it does what that type of thing normally does, or is used as that thing 起…作用，作…用 A library is functioning as a temporary hospital to cope with casualties. 一个图书馆被用作临时医院，以处理伤亡人员。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

function• But the land lab continues to function as a base for their operations.• Even if your memory starts functioning by then the forecast is diabolical.• This is a real, functioning dictionary, an astonishingly impressive work of reference and research, however you look at it.• It is worthwhile stating the obvious, that biosensors do not function for ever and will fail eventually.• As well as not functioning in a submersed situation, dying cells, releasing adverse substances will pollute the water.• Ancient Egyptians used herbs to help the stomach function naturally.• Cocaine users often feel as though they need the drug to relieve themselves of the tired feeling and to function normally.• About two-thirds of all collisions at state public crossings actually occur where everything is functioning properly.• The alarm system was not functioning when the paintings were stolen.function normally/correctly/properly etc• About two-thirds of all collisions at state public crossings actually occur where everything is functioning properly.• Cocaine users often feel as though they need the drug to relieve themselves of the tired feeling and to function normally.• In the past most of us have been unaware of these signs and that is why our body ceases to function normally.• Otherwise, with the possible exception of isolated pixels, it appears that these routines function correctly.• The bacteria can enter the bloodstream, but are usually quickly destroyed when antibodies and the immune system function properly.• It may be that that individual does not function normally as a consequence of the sensory deprivation.• The librarian himself may well be closely involved, but the controlling function normally rests with head of acquisitions.• Provided the liver is functioning normally, the amount of dye retained after 45 minutes should be less than 6 percent.From Longman Business Dictionaryfunctionfunc‧tion1 /ˈfʌŋkʃən/ noun1[countable] the purpose for which something is made or used, or the job that someone doesSYN ROLEThe main function of a cash-machine is to provide people with cash when the bank is shut.He was once asked what he considered the function of a chairman to be.In your new job you will be expected to perform many differentfunctions.For accounting purposes the Bank’s function as the issuer of currency notes is shown separately from its banking activities.2[uncountable] the way in which something works or operates, or the way in which it is usedPeople buy design rather than function; otherwise why bother to design a beer can? The beer stays the same.3sales/personnel/accounting etc functionHUMAN RESOURCES the part of a company that is responsible for sales, accounting etcWhy do companies use headhunters instead of their own in-house recruiting facilities and personnel function?The more efficient a company’s accounting function might be, the less time it should take to do the audit.4[countable]COMPUTING an operation or series of operations performed by a computer or a computer programYou press the Ins key once to turn on a function and press it again to turn off the same function.5a function of if one thing is a function of another, it is produced by or varies according to the other thingThe unit price at any time is a function of the prevailing interest rates and the risk involved.For marketing purposes, purchases by customers are assumed to be a function of advertising and promotional expenditure. → see also consumption functionfunctionfunction2 verb [intransitive]1to work or operateCan you explain exactly how this new system will function?Different types of organizations will require differing types of budgets to enable them to function effectively.A manager should identify and resolve factors stopping a member of staff from functioning properly.2MANUFACTURINGif a machine or system functions, it works or operates in the way that it is supposed toWe usually run tests to check that the air conditioning system is functioning properly.Hospitals function in spite of the system, but only because of the enormous professional devotion of their staffs. → function as something→ See Verb tableOrigin function1 (1500-1600) Latin functio, from fungi “to perform”

func·tion1 nounfunction2 verb →REGISTER1ChineseSyllable  

Corpus Business something has, job or that the that purpose the

function

I

func‧tion¹ S3 W1 AC /ˈfʌŋkʃən/ noun1. [uncountable and countable] the purpose that something has, or the job that someone or something does
    perform/fulfil a function
    In your new job you will perform a variety of functions.
    The church fulfils a valuable social function.
    The nervous system regulates our bodily functions (=eating, breathing, going to the toilet etc).
    Bauhaus architects thought that function was more important than form.
2. [countable] a large party or official event:
    This room may be hired for weddings and other functions.
3. [countable usually singular] technical a quantity or quality whose value changes according to another quantity or quality that is related to it:
    The degree of drought is largely a function of temperature and drainage.
4. [countable] one of the basic operations performed by a computer
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ party a social event when a lot of people meet together to enjoy themselves by eating, drinking, dancing etc: We’re having a party for Sarah’s 40th birthday. | I met my boyfriend at a party.
   ▪ get-together an informal party: Christmas is the perfect time for a family get-together.
   ▪ ball a large formal party where people dance: the end of term ball
   ▪ rave a large party which is held outside or in an empty building, where people dance to music and take illegal drugs
   ▪ reception a large formal party, especially one after a wedding or to welcome an important person: The wedding reception is at a nearby hotel. | a reception for the Thai Foreign Minister | They attended a White House reception to mark the Queen’s visit.
   ▪ function a large formal or official party: He has been asked to play at many corporate functions (=an official party held by a company).
   ▪ celebration a party or special event that is organized in order to celebrate something: the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations | It was a 21st birthday celebration which Mary would never forget.
   ▪ bash informal a party, especially a big one that a lot of famous people go to – used especially in journalism: the star’s birthday bash | a picture of him at a Hollywood bash | a showbiz bash
   ▪ do British English informal a party: We’re having a do to celebrate Margaret’s birthday.
   ▪ dinner party a party where people are invited to someone’s house for an evening meal: I met him at a dinner party.
   ▪ house-warming (party) a party that you have when you move into a new house: We’re having a house-warming next week.
   ▪ cocktail party (also drinks party British English) a party that people go to in order to talk and have a drink together for a few hours
   ▪ fancy-dress party British English, costume party American English a party where people dress in special clothes, for example to look like a famous person or a character in a story
   ▪ hen party especially British English a social event just before a wedding, for a woman who is getting married and her female friends
   ▪ stag night British English, bachelor party American English a social event just before a wedding, for a man who is getting married and his male friends
   ▪ baby/wedding shower American English an event at which people give presents to a woman who is going to have a baby or get married

II

function² AC verb [intransitive]1. to work in the correct or intended way
   SYN  operate
    function normally/correctly/properly etc
    Flights in and out of Taipei are functioning normally again.
    Her legs have now ceased to function.
    You know I can’t function (=cannot perform normal activities) without a coffee in the morning.
  REGISTER
    In everyday English, people usually say that something works rather than functions:
   ▪ If the system is working as it should, you’ll be paid within two weeks.
2. if something functions in a particular way, it works in that way:
    an understanding of how the economy functions
     
function as something phrasal verb
  if something functions as a particular thing, it does what that type of thing normally does, or is used as that thing:
    A library is functioning as a temporary hospital to cope with casualties.