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
Jackie Wattles, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
In January, the company recalled approximately 239,000 vehicles due to malfunctioning rear-view cameras.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
No injuries or other concerns were reported, but experts say the malfunction is unusual.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Rocket safety systems typically include software designed to blow up a malfunctioning vehicle to prevent large, damaging pieces of debris from reaching the ground.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
In January, the company recalled approximately 239,000 vehicles due to malfunctioning rear-view cameras.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
Officials have not ruled out the possibility of a malfunction, an air force official told CNN.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
No injuries or other concerns were reported, but experts say the malfunction is unusual.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share