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
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
But Minnesota has repeatedly malfunctioned at the most inopportune times.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 Apr. 2025
Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Jack Black handled a wardrobe malfunction like a pro while making an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon!
—Michael Nied, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
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Verb
Ater can then be seen crossing to another car to speak to the other suspects before turning back and shooting at Marchbanks and Pennington, though detectives believe her gun malfunctioned or jammed, court documents read.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
But Minnesota has repeatedly malfunctioned at the most inopportune times.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
Trident warned the couple about the malfunction, potentially saving them from something worse.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Jack Black handled a wardrobe malfunction like a pro while making an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon!
—Michael Nied, People.com, 1 Apr. 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 14 Apr. 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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