I. func ‧ tion 1 S3 W1 AC /ˈfʌŋkʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ function , ↑ functionality ; verb : ↑ function ; adverb : ↑ functionally ; adjective : ↑ functional ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: functio , from fungi 'to perform' ]
1 . [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
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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.
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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.
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a reception for the Thai Foreign Minister
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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
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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
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a picture of him at a Hollywood bash
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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. function 2 AC BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ function , ↑ functionality ; verb : ↑ function ; adverb : ↑ functionally ; adjective : ↑ functional ]
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 :
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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.