functionfunc·tion1 /ˈfʌŋkʃən/ noun1[countableC] the purpose for which something is made or used, or the job that someone doesSYN ROLEThe main function of a cash-machine is to provide people with cash when the bank is shut.
He was once asked what he considered the function of a chairman to be.
In your new job you will be expected to perform many differentfunctions.
For accounting purposes the Bank’s function as the issuer of currency notes is shown separately from its banking activities.
2[uncountableU] the way in which something works or operates, or the way in which it is usedPeople buy design rather than function; otherwise why bother to design a beer can? The beer stays the same.
3sales/personnel/accounting etc functionHUMAN RESOURCES the part of a company that is responsible for sales, accounting etcWhy do companies use headhunters instead of their own in-house recruiting facilities and personnel function?
The more efficient a company’s accounting function might be, the less time it should take to do the audit.
4[countableC]COMPUTING an operation or series of operations performed by a computer or a computer programYou press the Ins key once to turn on a function and press it again to turn off the same function.
5a function of if one thing is a function of another, it is produced by or varies according to the other thingThe unit price at any time is a function of the prevailing interest rates and the risk involved.
For marketing purposes, purchases by customers are assumed to be a function of advertising and promotional expenditure.
→ see also consumption function