misfunction

1 of 2

noun

mis·​func·​tion ˌmis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above