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
Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
The pilot ultimately concluded that the indicator light was malfunctioning, a common issue on older aircraft models like the Boeing 757.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
James Powel, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
The airline also reserves the right to pull the program temporarily—for example, in the instance of a system malfunction or during severe weather.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for malfunction 
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Verb
The moment was particularly unfortunate as the audio malfunctioned as the clip was introducing festival founder Robert Redford.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
The pilot ultimately concluded that the indicator light was malfunctioning, a common issue on older aircraft models like the Boeing 757.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
The report states that cause of the malfunction is currently unknown but Ford believes that the cause is due to the specific cameras installed in the vehicles.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
The airline also reserves the right to pull the program temporarily—for example, in the instance of a system malfunction or during severe weather.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for malfunction
Dictionary Entries Near malfunction
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malfunction. Accessed 13 Feb. 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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