function
noun uk/ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/ us/ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/
(PURPOSE)
B2 [ C ]功能，用途；职责
the natural purpose (of something) or the duty (of a person)
The function of the veins is to carry blood to the heart. 静脉的功能是将血液输送回心脏。
I'm not quite sure what my function is within the company. 我拿不太准自己在公司里有什么职责。
A thermostat performs the function of controlling temperature. 自动调温器的功用是控制温度。
- More examples
- Should the function of children's television be to entertain or to enlighten?
- Surely the function of the law is to protect everyone's rights.
- Do the lights on this cassette deck have any useful function or are they just for show?
- Zoos fulfil an important function in the protection of rare species.
- He performs several important functions within the organization.
(CEREMONY)
C1 [ C ]典礼，仪式;社交聚会
an official ceremony or a formal social event, such as a party or a special meal, at which a lot of people are usually present
As a mayor, he has a lot of official functions to attend. 作为市长，他要参加很多官方活动。
I see her two or three times a year, usually at social functions. 我一年能见她两三次，通常都是在社交聚会上。
(WORK)
[ U ]工作；运行
the way in which something works or operates
It's a disease that affects the function of the nervous system. 这是一种影响神经系统功能的疾病。
Studies suggest that regular intake of the vitamin significantly improves brain function. 研究表明定期服用维生素会显着增强大脑功能。
(COMPUTER)
[ C ] computing specialized（电脑程序中的）功能
a process that a computer or a computer program uses to complete a task
a search/save/sort function 搜索／保存／排序功能
(RESULT)
a function of something formal …的结果
something that results from something else, or is the way it is because of something else
His success is a function of his having worked so hard. 他的成功是辛勤工作的结果。
The low temperatures here are a function of the terrain as much as of the climate. 这里的低温是地形与气候同时作用的结果。
Differences in health outcomes are often said to be a function of socioeconomic disparity.
Variation in water supply is a function of geography.
The amount of water vapour in the air is, in part, a function of temperature.
(VALUE)
[ C ] mathematics specialized（数学中的）函数，应变量
(in mathematics) a quantity whose value depends on another value and changes with that value
x is a function of y. x是y的函数。
function
verb [ I ] uk/ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/ us/ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/
运转；工作；起作用
to work or operate
You'll soon learn how the office functions. 你很快就会了解办事处的运作了。
The television was functioning normally until yesterday. 一直到昨天电视机还一切正常。
I'm so tired today, I can barely function. 我今天太累了，简直动不了了。
Synonym: work (OPERATE)
Compare: malfunction verb
- More examples
- You can't function properly when you're deprived of sleep.
- Obviously the school cannot function without teachers.
- The theatre continued to function throughout the war.
- The washing machine wasn't functioning properly.
- I don't know how you functioned under those conditions.
Phrasal verb
function as something/someone 充当;当作;起…的作用
to perform the purpose of a particular thing or the duties of a particular person
We have a spare bedroom that also functions as a study. 我们有一间空卧室可以当书房用。