View synonyms for malfunction

malfunction

[ mal-fuhngk-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

failure to function properly:
a malfunction of the liver; the malfunction of a rocket.

verb (used without object)

to fail to function properly.

malfunction

/ mælˈfʌŋkʃən /

verb

intr to function imperfectly or irregularly or fail to function

noun

failure to function or defective functioning

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Word History and Origins

Origin of malfunction¹

First recorded in 1925–30; mal- + function

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Example Sentences

During another joint drill by South Korea and the US in 2022, troops fired a short-range ballistic missile which malfunctioned and crashed on a golf course in the military base.

From BBC

The cause of the crash, which killed military officers and civilians, is unclear - but military sources have been quoted as saying that it was likely to have been a technical malfunction.

From BBC

A spark from a malfunctioning transmission line ignited a blaze.

From Los Angeles Times

What inspired them was that they couldn’t find the infamous 2004 Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction online.

From Salon

The National Transportation and Safety Board is investigating possible equipment malfunctions and miscommunications that could have led to the crash.

From Salon

Related Words

malformed malgré lui

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