ˈfəŋ(k)shən ə l, -shnəl adjective
1.
a. : of, connected with, or being a function
replace the foreman who supervised all aspects of work with several functional foremen
a manager who has functional authority over a specified process through the several departments
: dependently related
many similarities, some functional to the pastoral nomadic way of life, some due to historical relationship — Elizabeth Bacon
b. : of, relating to, or based on function or functioning
the problem now is not a constitutional one, it is a functional one … to make the machinery established at San Francisco work — C.M.Eichelberger
a functional expert, available to keep the administrative organization … in good running order — F.R.M.de Paula
a functional presentation of government activities that groups related items regardless of agency or location
as
(1) : affecting functions but not structure — compare anatomic , organic , psychogenic
(2) : of or selected by functional representation
delegates elected on a functional rather than geographical basis
: occupational
(3) : of or affecting the adaptation of a property (as equipment or a building) to prevailing standards or use
the air-conditioned coach resulted in the functional obsolescence of the old day coach
2. : existing or used to contribute to the development or maintenance of a larger whole : having a useful function
a style of writing in which every word is functional
its trunk and branches were a functional part of the tree house
as
a. : designed or developed chiefly from the point of view of use : utilitarian
functional architecture
functional fabrics
the play's dialogue was strictly functional
b. : relating directly to everyday needs and interests : concerned with application in activity : practical
functional education selects knowledge that is concrete and usable, not abstract and theoretical
c. : carrying out or consisting of a group of related activities : performing a specialized service
the European Defense Community and other functional arms of the emerging political structure — New Republic
whether functional cooperation would lead to structural union
3. : performing or able to perform its regular function : in a functioning condition
vision that is functional only in bright light
: working
the flashlight was still functional after being dropped
4. : placing related functions in an industry or business under the direction of a specialist : having specialized administration
functional organization
functional management
5. : functionalist
6. : relating or attempting to demonstrate the relatedness of any single aspect of culture to the maintenance of an integrated sociocultural whole
in our western civilization the personal life and the functional life have fallen apart — P.C.W.Gutkind
functional sociology
7. : having no neurological or organic pathology
a functional psychosis caused by maladjustment
in the functional … disorders the amount of organ pathology which is discovered, even with careful and thorough examination, is neither sufficient nor impressive enough to account for the symptoms — E.A.Strecker