Function

  

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Function

Definition: Function

Function

Noun

1. A mathematical relation such that each element of one set is associated with at least one element of another set.

2. What something is used for; "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?".

3. The actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group: "the function of a teacher"; "the government must do its part"; "play its role".

4. A relation such that one thing is dependent on another; "height is a function of age"; "price is a function of supply and demand".

5. A formal or official social gathering or ceremony; "it was a black-tie function".

6. A set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program.

Verb

1. Perform as expected when applied; "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore".

2. Serve a purpose, role, or function; "The tree stump serves as a table"; "The female students served as a control group"; "This table would serve very well"; "His freedom served him well"; The table functions as a desk".

3. Perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function; "His wife officiated as his private secretary".

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
 

Date "function" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1588. (references)

Etymology: Function \Func"tion\, noun. [Latin functio, from fungi to perform, execute, akin to Sanskrit bhuj to enjoy, have the use of: compare to French fonction. Compare to Defunct.]. (references)

 

Specialty Definition: Function

DomainDefinition

Computing

Function 1. (Or "map", "mapping") If D and C are sets (the domain and codomain) then a function f from D to C, normally written "f : D -> C" is a subset of D x C such that: 1. For each d in D there exists some c in C such that (d,c) is an element of f. I.e. the function is defined for every element of D. 2. For each d in D, c1 and c2 in C, if both (d,c1) and (d,c2) are elements of f then c1 = c2. I.e. the function is uniquely defined for every element of D. See also image, inverse, partial function. 2. Computing usage derives from the mathematical term but is much less strict. In programming (except in functional programming), a function may return different values each time it is called with the same argument values and may have side effects. A procedure is a function which returns no value but has only side-effects. The C language, for example, has no procedures, only functions. ANSI C even defines a type, void, for the result of a function that has no result. (1996-09-01). Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing.

19th Century Satire

Devoid of joy. Source: Foolish Dictionary, 1904.

Aerospace

A magnitude so related to another magnitude that for any value of one there is corresponding value of the other.For instance, the area of a circle is a function of its radius. The radius is also a function of the area. (references)

Business

The general end or purpose sought to be accomplished by a department or organizational unit. Source: European Union. (references)

Federal Student Aid

A group of activities that occur within a channel or functional area. also known as "Functional Description". (references)

Math

(1) A computation which takes some arguments or inputs and yields an output. Any particular input yields the same output every time. More formally, a mapping from each element in the domain to an element in the range. (2) A subroutine which returns a value. (references)

Slang

Noun. Source: A function is usually organized, probably derived from the word. Definition: An organized party where security guards are present. Context: Usually ritual events that are planned in advance or done annually. Social Source: Alpha Chi Omega. Source: Compiled by The University of Oregon. (additional references)
 Noun. Source: Comes from social function. Definition: A party with a fraternity. Context: When sororities and fraternities get together and sociolize. Social Source: Sigma Kappa Sorority. Source: Compiled by The University of Oregon. (additional references)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Specialty Definition: Continuous function

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

In mathematics, a continuous function is one in which "small" changes in the input produce "small" changes in the output. If small changes in the input can produce a broken jump in the changes of the output, the function is said to be discontinuous (or to have a discontinuity).

As an example, consider the function h(t) which describes the height of a growing child at time t. This function is continuous (unless the child's legs were amputated). As another example, if T(x) denotes the air temperature at height x, then this function is also continuous. In fact, there is the dictum in nature everything is continuous. By contrast, if M(t) denotes the amount of money in a bank account at time t, then the function jumps whenever money is deposited or withdrawn, so the function M(t) is discontinuous.

For continuity as it is used in topology, see continuity (topology).

Real valued continuous functions

Suppose we have a function that maps real numbers to real numbers and is defined on some interval, like the three functions h, T and M from above. Such a function can be represented by a graph in the cartesian plane; the function is continuous if, roughly speaking, the graph is a single unbroken curve with no "holes" or "jumps": if it can be drawn by hand without lifting the pencil from the paper.

To be more precise, we say that the function f is continuous at some point c if the following three requirements are satisfied:

We call the function everywhere continuous, or simply continuous, if it is continuous at every point of its domain.

Epsilon-delta definition

Without resorting to limits, one can define continuity of real functions as follows.

Again consider a function f that maps a set of real numbers to another set of real numbers, and suppose c is an element of the domain of f. The function f is said to be continuous at the point c if (and only if) the following holds: For any positive number ε however small, there exists some positive number δ such that for all x with c - δ < x < c + δ, the value of f(x) will satisfy f(c) - ε < f(x) < f(c) + ε. This "epsilon-delta definition" of continuity was first given by Cauchy.

More intuitively, we can say that if we want to get all the f(x) values to stay in some small neighborhood around f(c), we simply need to choose a small enough neighborhood for the x values around c, and we can do that no matter how small the f(x) neighborhood is.

Examples

Facts about continuous functions

If two functions f and g are continuous, then f + g and fg are continuous. If g(x) ≠ 0 for all x in the domain, then f/g is also continuous.

The composition f o g of two continuous functions is continuous.

The intermediate value theorem is an existence theorem, based on the real number property of completeness, and states: "If the real-valued function f(x) is continuous on the closed interval [a, b] and k is some number between f(a) and f(b), then there is some number c in [a, b] such that f(c) = k. For example, if a child undergoes continuous growth from 1m to 1.5m between the ages of 2 years and 6 years, then, at some time between 2 years and 6 years of age, the child's height must have equalled 1.25m.

As a consequence, if f(x) is continuous on [a, b] and f(a) and f(b) differ in sign, then, at some point c, f(c) must equal zero.

If a function f is defined on a closed interval [a,b] and is continuous there, then the function attains its maximum, i.e. there exists c∈[a,b] with f(c) ≥ f(x) for all x∈[a,b]. The same is true for the minimum of f. (Note that these statements are false if our function is defined on an open interval (a,b). Consider for instance the continuous function f(x) = 1/x defined on the open interval (0,1).)

If a function is differentiable at some point c of its domain, then it is also continuous at c. The converse is not true: a function that's continuous at c need not be differentiable there. Consider for instance the absolute value function at c=0.

Continuous functions between metric spaces

Now consider a function f from one metric space (X, dX) to another metric space (Y, dY). Then f is continuous at the point c in X if for any positive real number ε, there exists a positive real number δ such that all x in X satisfying dX(x, c) < δ will also satisfy dY(f(x), f(c)) < ε.

This can also be formulated in terms of sequences and limits: the function f is continuous at the point c if and only if for every sequence (xn) in X with limit lim xn = c, we have lim f(xn) = f(c). Continuous functions transform limits into limits.

This latter condition can be weakened as follows: f is continuous at the point c if and only if for every convergent sequence (xn) in X with limit c, the sequence (f(xn)) is a Cauchy sequence. Continuous functions transform convergent sequences into Cauchy sequences.

See also:

References

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Function

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

This article covers mathematics. Other uses of the word function include:

The concept of function is fundamental in mathematics and the sciences.

Introduction

Intuitively, a function is a way to assign to each value of the argument x a unique value of the function f(x). This could be specified by a formula, a relationship, and/or a rule. This concept is deterministic, always producing the same result or output from the same input. A function may be thought of as a "machine" or "black box" converting valid input into a unique output.

The most familiar kind of function is that where the argument and the function's value are both numbers, and the functional relationship is expressed by a formula, and the value of the function is obtained from the arguments by direct substitution. Consider for example

which assigns to any number x its square.

A straightforward generalization is to allow functions depending not on a single number, but on several. For instance,

which takes two numbers x and y and assigns to them their product, xy.

In the sciences, we often encounter functions that are not given by (known) formulas. Consider for instance the temperature distribution on Earth over time: this is a function which takes location and time as arguments and gives as output the temperature at that location at that time. 

We have seen that the intuitive notion of function is not limited to computations using single numbers and not even limited to computations; the mathematical notion of function is still more general and is not limited  to situations involving numbers. Rather, a function links a "domain" (set of inputs) to a "codomain" (set of possible outputs) in such a way that to every element of the domain is associated precisely one element of the codomain. Functions are abstractly defined as certain relations, as will be seen below. Because of this generality, functions appear in a wide variety of mathematical contexts, and several mathematical fields are based on the study of functions.

The words "function", "mapping", "map" and "transformation" are usually considered synonymous. Functions whose arguments are natural numbers are better known as sequences.


History

As a mathematical term, "'function\'" was coined by Leibniz in 1694, to describe a quantity related to a curve; such as a curve's slope or a specific point of said curve.  Functions related to curves are nowaday called differentiable functions and are still the most frequently type of functions encounted by non-mathematicians.  For such kind of functions, one can talk about limits and derivatives; both are measurements of the change of output values associated to a change of input values, and they are the basics of calculus.

The word function was later used by Euler during the mid-18th Century to describe an expression or formula involving various arguments; ie: y = F(x). 

During the 19th Century, mathematicians started to formalize all the different branches of mathematics. Weierstrass advocated building calculus on arithmetic rather than on geometry, which favoured Euler's definition over Leibniz's (see arithmetization of analysis). 

By broadening the definition of functions, mathematicians were then able to study "strange" mathematical objects such as functions which are nowhere differentiable.  Those functions, first thought as purely imaginary and called collectively "monsters" as late as the turn of the 20th century, were later found to be important in the modelling of physical phenomena such as Brownian motion.

Towards the end of the 19th century, mathematicians started trying to formalize all of mathematics using set theory and they sought definitions of every mathematical object as a set. It was Dirichlet that gave the modern "formal" definition of function (see #Formal Definition below).

In Dirichlet's definition, a function is a special case of a relation.  In most cases of practical interest, however, the differences between the modern definition and Euler's definition are negligible.


Formal Definition

Formally, a function f from a set X of input values to a set Y of possibly output values (written as f: X → Y) is a relation between X and Y which satisfies:

  1. f is functional: if x f y (x is f-related to y) and x f z, then y = z. i.e., for each input value, there should only be one possible output value.

  2. f is total: for all x in X, there exists a y in Y such that x f y. i.e. for each input value, the formula should produce at least one output value within Y.
    

For each input value x in the domain, the corresponding unique output value y in the codomain is denoted by f(x).

Consider the following three examples:








 This is not a "well-defined" function; because, the element 3, in X, is associated with two elements b and c in Y (Condition 1 is violated). This is a multivalued function.
 This is not a "well-defined" function; because, the element 1, in X , is associated with nothing (Condition 2 is violated).  This is a partial function.
 This is a function, called a discrete function (or rarely piecewise function); of which the range is {a,c,d}. It can be stated explicitly as






Occasionally, all three relations above are called functions.  In this case, the function satisfies Conditions (1) and (2) is said to be a "well-defined function" or "total function".  In this encyclopedia, the terms "well-defined function", "total function" and "function" are synonymous.


Domains, Codomains, and Ranges

X, the set of input values, is called the domain of f and Y, the set of possible output values, is called the codomain.  The range of f is the set of all actual outputs {f(x) : x in the domain}.  Beware that sometimes the codomain is wrongly called the range because of a failure to distinguish  between possible and actual values. 

In computer science, the datatypes of the arguments and return values specify the domain and codomain (respectively) of a subprogram. So the domain and codomain are constraints imposed initially on a function; on the other hand the range has to do with how things turn out in practice.


Graph of a functions

The graph of a function f is the collection of all points(x, f(x)), for all x in set X. In the example of the discrete function, the graph of f is {(1,a),(2,d),(3,c)}.   There are theorems formulated or proved most easily in terms of the graph, such as the closed graph theorem.

If X and Y are real lines, then this definition coincides with the familiar sense of graph. Below is the graph of a cubic function:



Note that since a relation on the two sets X and Y is usually formalized as a subset of X×Y, the formal definition of function actually identifies the function f with its graph.


Images and preimages

The image of an element x∈X under f is the output f(x). 

The image of a subset A⊂X under f is the subset of Y defined by

f(A) := {f(x) : x in A}. 

Notice that the range of f is the image f(X) of its domain. In our example of discrete function, the image of {2,3} under f is f({2,3})={c,d} and the range of f is {a,c,d}.

The preimage (or inverse image) of a set B ⊂ Y under  f is the subset of X defined by

f −1(B) := {x in X : f(x)∈B}.

In our example of discrete function, the preimage of {a,b} is f −1({a,b})={1}.

Note that with this definiton, f -1 becomes a function whose domain is the set of all subsets of Y (also known as the power set of Y) and whose codomain is the power set of X'.

Some consequences that follow immediately from these definitions are:

These are valid for arbitrary subsets A, A1 and A2 of the domain and arbitrary subsets B, B1 and B2 of the codomain.
The results relating images and preimages to the algebra of intersection and union work for any number of sets, not just for 2.


Injective, surjective and bijective functions

Several types of functions are very useful, deserve special names: 

Examples of functions

(More can be found at List of functions.)


Most commonly used types of mathematical functions involving addition, division, exponents, logarithms, multiplication, polynomials, radicals, rationals, subtraction, and trigonometric expressions. They are sometimes collectively referred as Elementary functions -- but the meaning of this term varies among different branches of mathematics.  Example of non-elementary functions are Bessel functions and gamma functions. 


n-ary function: function of several variables

Functions in applications are often functions of several variables: the values they take depend on a number of different factors. From a mathematical point of view all the variables must be made explicit in order to have a functional relationship - no 'hidden' factors are allowed. Then, again from the mathematical point of view, there is no qualitative difference between functions of one and of several variables. A function of three real variables is just a function that applies to triples of real numbers. The following paragraph says this in more formal language.

If the domain of a function is a subset of the Cartesian product of n sets then the function is called an n-ary function.
For example, the relation dist has the domain R × R and is therefore a binary function.
In that case dist((x,y)) is simply written as dist(x,y).

Another name applied to some types of functions of several variables is operation. In abstract algebra, operators such as "*" are defined as binary functions; when we write a formula such as x*y in this context, we are implicitly invoking the function *(x,y), but writing it in a convenient infix notation.

An important theoretical paradigm, functional programming, takes the function concept as central. In that setting, the handling of functions of several variables becomes an operational matter, for which the lambda calculus provides the basic syntax. The composition of functions (see under composing functions immediately below) becomes a question of explicit forms of substitution, as used in the substitution rule of calculus. In particular, a formalism called currying can be used to reduce n-ary functions to functions of a single variable.


Composing functions

The functions f: X → Y and g: Y → Z can be composed by first applying f to an argument x and then applying g to the result.
Thus one obtains a function g o f: X → Z defined by (g o f)(x) := g(f(x)) for all x in X.
As an example, suppose that an airplane's height at time t is given by the function h(t) and that the oxygen concentration at height x is given by the function c(x).
Then (c o h)(t) describes the oxygen concentration around the plane at time t.

If
Y⊂X
then 
f may compose with itself; this
is sometimes denoted f 2. (Do not confuse it with the notation
commonly seen in 
trigonometry.) 
The functional powers
f of n 
= f n o f
= f n+1
for
natural 
n
follow immediately. On their heels comes the idea of functional root;
given f and n, find a g such that
gn=f. 
(Feynman 
illustrated practical use of functional roots in one of his anecdotal books.
<which?>
Tasked with building an 
analogue
arctan 
computer and finding its parts overstressed, he instead designed a machine for a functional root <fifth?> of arctan and chained enough copies to make the arctan machine.)


Inverse function

If a function f:X→Y is bijective then preimages of any element y in the codomain Y is a singleton.  A function taking y∈Y to its preimage f−1(y) is a well-defined function called the inverse of f and is denoted by f−1.

An example of an inverse function, for f(x) = x2, is f(x)−1 = √x. Likewise, the inverse of 2x is x/2. The inverse function is the function that "undoes" its original. See also inverse image.


Pointwise operations

If f: X → R and g: X → R are functions with common domain X and codomain is a ring R, then one can define the sum function f + g: X → R and the product function f × g: X → R as follows:

(f + g)(x) := f(x) + g(x);

(f × g)(x) := f(x) × g(x);

for all x in X.

This turns the set of all such functions into a ring. The binary operations in that ring have as domain ordered pairs of functions, and as codomain functions. This is an example of climbing up in abstraction, to functions of more complex types.

By taking some other algebraic structure A in the place of R, we can turn the set of all functions from X to A into an algebraic structure of the same type in an analogous way.


Computable and non-computable functions

The number of computable functions from integers to integers is countable, because number of possible algorithms is. The number of all functions from integers to integers is higher: the same as the cardinality of the real numbers. This argument shows that there are functions from integers to integers that are not computable.  For examples of noncomputable functions, see the articles on the halting problem and Rice's theorem.


References


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Functional programming
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)




Functional programming is a programming paradigm that treats computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions.  In contrast to imperative programming,  functional programming emphasizes the evaluation of functional expressions, rather than execution of commands. The expressions in these languages are formed by using functions to combine basic values. 


Introduction

The functions alluded to in the title are mathematical functions.  Mathematical functions have great strengths in terms of flexibility and in terms of analysis. For example, if a function is known to be idempotent, then a call to a function which has itself as its argument, and which is known to have no side-effects, may be efficiently computed without multiple calls.

A function in this sense has zero or more parameters and a single return value.  The parameters--or arguments, as they are sometimes called--are the inputs to the function, and the return value is the function's output.  The definition of a function describes how the function is to be evaluated in terms of other functions.  For example, the function f(x) = x2 + 2 is defined in terms of the power and addition functions.  At some point, the language has to provide basic functions that require no further definition.

Functions can be manipulated in a variety of ways in a functional programming language.  Functions are treated as first-class values, which is to say that functions can be parameters or inputs to other functions and can be the return values or outputs of a function.  This allows functions like mapcar in LISP and map in Haskell that take both a function and a list as input and apply the input function to every element of the list.  Functions can be named, as in other languages, or defined anonymously (sometimes during program execution) using a lambda abstraction and used as values in other functions.  Functional languages also allow functions to be "curried".  Currying is a technique for rewriting a function with multiple parameters as the composition of functions of one parameter.  The curried function can be applied to just a subset of its parameters.  The result is a function where the parameters in this subset of are now fixed as constants, and the values of the rest of the parameters are still unspecified.  This new function can be applied to the remaining parameters to get the final function value.  For example, a function add(x,y) = x + y can be curried so that the return value of add(2)--notice that there is no y parameter--will be an anonymous function that is equivalent to a function add2(y) = 2 + y. This new function has only one parameter and corresponds to adding 2 to a number.  Again, this is possible only because functions are treated as first class values.


History

Lambda calculus could be considered the first functional programming language, though it was never designed to actually be executed on a computer.  Lambda calculus is a model of computation designed by Alonzo Church in the 1930s that provides a very formal way to describe function evaluation.  The first computer-based functional programming language was LISP, developed by John McCarthy while at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the late 1950s.  While not a purely functional programming language, LISP did introduce most of the features now found in modern functional programming languages.  Scheme was a later attempt to simplify and improve LISP.  In the 1970s the language ML was created at the University of Edinburgh, and David Turner developed the language Miranda at the University of Kent.  The language Haskell was released in the late 1980s in an attempt to gather together many ideas in functional programming research.


Comparison with imperative programming

Functional programming can be contrasted with imperative programming.  Functional programming appears to be missing several constructs often (though incorrectly) considered essential to an imperative language, such as C or Pascal.  For example, in strict functional programming, there is no explicit memory allocation and no explicit variable assignment.  However, these operations occur automatically when a function is invoked; memory allocation occurs to make space for the parameters and the return value, and assignment occurs to copy the parameters into this newly allocated space and to copy the return value back into the calling function.  Both operations can only occur on function entry and exit, so side effects of function evaluation are eliminated.  By disallowing side effects in functions, the language provides referential transparency.  This ensures that the result of a function will be the same for a given set of parameters no matter where, or when, it is evaluated.  Referential transparency greatly eases both the task of proving program correctness and the task of automatically identifying independent computations for parallel execution.

Looping, another imperative programming construct, is accomplished through the more general functional construct of recursion.  Recursive functions invoke themselves, allowing an operation to be performed over and over.  In fact, it can be proven that looping is equivalent to a special type of recursion called tail recursion.  Recursion in functional programming can take many forms and is in general a more powerful technique than looping.  For this reason, almost all imperative languages also support it (with FORTRAN 77 and COBOL as notable exceptions).


Functional programming languages

As detailed above, the oldest example of a functional language is Lisp.  More recent examples include Scheme, ML, Haskell, Erlang, Clean, Q. "Pure" functional programs need no variables and side-effects, and are therefore automatically thread-safe, automatically verifiable (as long as any recursive cycle eventually stops) and have more such nice properties.  Nested functions just pass their results back to the main function. Implementations of these languages usually make quite sophisticated use of stack manipulation, since it is used so commonly.

Functional programming often depends heavily on recursion. The Scheme programming language even requires certain types of recursion (tail recursion) to be recognized and automatically optimized by a compiler.

Furthermore, functional programming languages are likely to enforce referential transparency, which is the familiar notion that 'equals can be substituted for equals':  if two expressions are defined to have equal values, then one can be substituted for the other in any larger expression without 
affecting the result of the computation.  For example, in


	z = f(sqrt(2), sqrt(2));


we can factor out sqrt(2) and write


	s = sqrt(2);
	z = f(s, s);


thus eliminating the extra evaluation of the square-root function.

As intuitive as it sounds, this is not always the case with imperative languages. A case in point is the C programming language's getchar() "function", which is strictly a function not of its arguments but of the contents of the input stream stdin and how much has already been read.  Following the example above:


	z = f(getchar(), getchar());


we cannot eliminate getchar() as we did for sqrt(2), because in C, "getchar()" might return two different values the two times it is called.

Hidden side-effects are in general the rule, rather than the exception, of traditional programming languages. Whenever a procedure reads a value from or writes a value to a global or shared variable, the potential exists for hidden side effects.  This leakage of information across procedure boundaries in ways that are not explictly represented by function calls and definitions greatly increases the hidden complexity of programs written in conventional non-functional languages. 

By removing these hidden information leaks, functional programming languages offer the possibility of much cleaner programs which are easier to design and debug. However, they also offer other benefits.

Many programmers accustomed to the imperative paradigm find it difficult to learn functional programming, which encompasses a whole different way of composing programs.  This difficulty, along with the fact that functional programming environments do not have the extensive tools and libraries available for traditional programming languages, are among the main reasons that functional programming has received little use in the software industry.  Functional languages have remained largely the domain of academics and hobbyists, and what little inroads have been made are due to impure functional languages such as Erlang and Scheme.  It could be argued that the largest influence of functional programming on the software industry has been by those academically trained programmers who have gone on to apply the impure functional programming style to their work in traditional imperative languages.


Greater expressiveness: "new forms of glue"

A powerful mechanism sometimes used in functional programming is the notion of higher-order functions. Functions are higher-order when they can take other functions as arguments, and/or return functions as results. (The derivative in calculus is a common example of a function that maps a function to a function). Higher-order functions were studied long before the notion of functional programming existed, in the lambda calculus, a formalism which has influenced the design of several functional programming languages, especially the Haskell programming language.




Speed and space considerations

Functional languages have long been criticised as resource-hungry, both in terms of CPU resources and memory. This was mainly due to two things:

As modern imperative languages and their implementations have started to include greater emphasis on correctness, rather than raw speed, and the implementations of functional languages have begun to emphasise speed as well as correctness, the performance of functional languages and imperative languages has begun to converge.


Resources


See also:


For further reading


External links


This article includes parts of an earlier version (stable link) posted on 19 June 2001 on Nupedia; 
reviewed and approved by the Computers group; editor, Michael Witbrock ; lead reviewer, Nancy Tinkham ; lead copyeditors, Ruth Ifcher. and Larry Sanger.
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Functional programming."
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Subroutine
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

In computer science, a subroutine (function, procedure, or subprogram) is a sequence of code which performs a specific task, as part of a larger program, and is grouped as one, or more, statement blocks; such code is sometimes collected into software libraries. Subroutines can be "called", this allows programs to access the subroutine repeatedly, without the subroutine's code having been written more than once.


History

The first use of subprograms was in assembly languages.


Technical Overview

A subprogram, as its name suggest, somehow behaves like a computer program. Typically, the caller waits for subprograms to finish and continues execution only after a subprogram "returns". Subroutines are often given parameters to refine their behavior or to perform a certain computation with given (variable) values. Generally, subprograms execute their statements from top to bottom. 

In most imperative programming languages, subprograms may have so-called side-effects, that is, they may cause changes that remain after the subprogram has returned. Usually, compilers cannot predict whether a subprogram has a side-effect or not, but can determine if a subprogram calls no other subprograms, or at least no other subprograms that have side-effects. In imperative programming, compilers usually assume every subprogram has a side-effect to avoid complex analysis of exection paths. Because of its side-effects, a subprogram may return different results each time it is called, even if it is called with the same arguments. A simple example is a subprogram that returns a random number each time it is called . Such behavior is invalid in a strict mathematical sense. An exception to this common behaviour is found in functional programming languages, where subprograms can have no side effects, and will always return the same result if repeatedly called with the same arguments. [Note that subprograms are referred to as functions in these languages].


C/C++ Examples

In the C and C++ programming languages, subprograms are referred to as "functions". Below are three such functions - the first function does absolutely nothing; it is called with: "function1();. The second function returns the number 5; the function can be called with: "function2();" The third function returns a desired selection (1-5), and is called with: "function2(number);"


void function1()
{
}



int function2()
{

 return 5;

}



 
int function3(int number)
{

 int selection[] = {5,1,3,2,4};
 return selection[number];

}



Ruby Example

The following is an example of a Ruby subprogram, which outputs "text". 

def say_text

 print "text\
"

end

say_text



Why use subprograms?

There are numerous motivations for the use of subprograms:


Generally, to make use of a subprogram, a programmer places some form of call instruction--which constitutes a call site--into an instruction sequence.  When the call site is encountered, the instruction sequence is temporarily suspended, and the subprogram itself executes until it completes, at which time the original instruction sequence resumes.


Local variables, recursion, and re-entrancy

A subprogram may find it useful to make use of a certain amount of "scratch" space; that is, memory used during the execution of that subprogram to hold intermediate results.  Variables stored in this scratch space are referred to as local variables, and the scratch space itself is referred to as an activation record. An activation record typically has a return address that tells it where to pass control back to when the subprogram finishes.

A subprogram may have any number and nature of call sites; in fact, a subprogram may even call itself, causing its execution to suspend while another nested execution of the same subprogram occurs.  This is referred to as recursion, and is a useful technique for making some complex algorithms more comprehensible.  However, recursion poses a problem if the recursive execution modifies any local variables, because when the suspended execution resumes, it will find that the data stored in its local variables have been lost.

Early languages like Fortran simply didn't support recursion for this reason.  Modern languages almost invariably provide a fresh activation record for every execution of a subprogram; that way, the nested execution is free to modify its local variables without concern for the effect on other suspended executions in progress.  As nested calls accumulate, a call stack structure is formed, consisting of one activation record for each suspended subprogram.  In fact, this stack structure is virtually ubiquitous, and so activation records are commonly referred to as stack frames.

If a subprogram can function properly even when called while another execution is already in progreses, that subprogram is said to be re-entrant.  A recursive subprogram must be re-entrant.  Re-entrant subprograms are also useful in multi-threaded situations, since multiple threads can call the same subprogram without fear of interfering with each other.

In a multi-threaded environment, there is generally more than one stack. An environment which fully supports coroutines or lazy evaluation may use date structures other than stacks to store their activation records.


Conventions

A number of conventions of coding subprogram have been developed. It has been commonly preferable that the name of subprogram is a verb when it does certain task and is adjective when it does some inquring and is a noun when it is used to substitute variables and such.

The experienced programmers recommend that a subprogram perform only one task.  If a subprogram performs more than one task, it should be split up into more subprograms. They argue that subprograms are key components in maintaining code and their role in the program must be distinct.

Some advocate that each subprogram should have least dependecy to other parts of code. For example, they see the use of global variables evil because it adds tight-coupling between subprograms and global variables, if such coupling is not unnecessary at all and advise to refactor subprogram to take parameters instead. This practice is controversial because it tends to increase the number of passed parameters to subprograms.

See programming practice for more details discussion of programming disciplines.


Related terms and clarification

Different programming languages and methodologies possess notions and mechanisms related to subprograms:


Top     
Abbreviations & Acronyms: Function
The following table is compiled from various sources, across various languages. When English abbreviations or acronyms come from a non-English source, this is noted.
EntrySourceExpressionField
FUNCEnglishFunctionComputing
Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references).
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Synonyms: Function
Synonyms: mathematical function (n), office (n), part (n), procedure (n), purpose (n), role (n), routine (n), subprogram (n), subroutine (n), use (n), go (v), officiate (v), operate (v), run (v), serve (v), work (v). (additional references)
Synonym by domain: on-duty (business, finance).
Antonym: malfunction (v). (additional references)
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Synonyms within Context: Function
ContextSynonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus).
Agency
Noun: agency, operation, force, working, strain, function, office, maintenance, exercise, work, swing, play; interworking, interaction; procurement.
Business
Part, role, cue; province, function, lookout, department, capacity, sphere, orb, field, line; walk, walk of life; beat, round, routine; race, career.
Curvature
Sine curve; spline, spline curve, spline function; obliquity.
Duty
Allegiance, fealty, tie engagement; (promise); part; function, calling; (business).
Number
Noun: number, symbol, numeral, figure, cipher, digit, integer; counter; round number; formula; function; series.
Ostentation
Demonstration, flying colors; tomfoolery; flourish of trumpets; (celebration); pageant, pageantry; spectacle, exhibition, exposition, procession; turn out, set out; grand function; f_te, gala, field day, review, march past, promenade, insubstantial pageant.
Rite
Noun: rite; ceremony, ritual, liturgy, ceremonial; ordinance, observance, function, duty; form, formulary; solemnity, sacrament; incantation; (spell); service, psalmody; (worship).
Utility
Noun: utility; usefulness; Adjective: efficacy, efficiency, adequacy; service, use, stead, avail; help; (aid); applicability; Adjective: subservience; (instrumentality); function; (business); value; worth; (goodness); money's worth; productiveness; cui bono; (intention); utilization; (use) step in the right direction.
Act a part; (action); perform a function, discharge a function; render a service, render good service, render yeoman's service; bestead, stand one in good stead be the making of; help.
Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus.
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Crosswords: Function
English words defined with "function": Algebraic function ♦ Circular function ♦ Elliptic function, exponential function ♦ function word ♦ Implicit function, Increasing function, inverse function ♦ One-valued function ♦ Periodic function ♦ threshold function, Transcendental function, trigonometric function, Trigonometrical function. (references)
Specialty definitions using "function": Ackermann's function, Advanced Communications Function, Advanced Function Presentation, Advanced Function Printing, Airy stress function, auxiliary function ♦ Bessel function, Bessel function of zero order, binary function, Boolean function, Boolean logical function, Boole's function, Boole's logical function, builtin function ♦ characteristic function, constant function, continuous function ♦ decision function, density function, descent function, distribution function ♦ electronic work function, executable function ♦ form function, function application, function complete, Function Graph Language, function key, Function Point Analysis, function preventing failure, function preventing maintenance ♦ gamma function, generalized transmission function ♦ hash function, higher-order function ♦ instrumental function, International Function Point Users Group, inverse Ackermann function, Iterated Function System ♦ linear function ♦ member function, membership function, memo function, memoised function, memoized function, meromorphic function, message digest function ♦ n-ary function, nonlinear function, normalisation of frequency function, normalization of frequency function ♦ objective function, one-way function, OR function, Ovarian Function Tests ♦ partial function, partial recursive function, Placental Function Tests, probability density function ♦ round-up function ♦ Schmidt trigger function, space-constructible function ♦ thermodynamic function of state, total function, trap-door function ♦ uniformly better decision function ♦ volume scattering function ♦ work function ♦ Z Function. (references)
Etymologies containing "function": Perfunctory. (references)
Top     
Modern Usage: Function
DomainUsage
Screenplays
Instead of destroying brain function, so far it's been stimulating it. We can't understand that (Phenomenon; writing credit: Gerald Di Pego)
You see, I have a very important function in those meetings (Drop the Dead Donkey; writing credit: Andy Hamilton; Guy Jenkin)
Homer no function beer well without (The Simpsons; writing credit: Artur Brauner; Paul Hengge)
That's a simple function. (Short Circuit; writing credit: Brent Maddock; S.S. Wilson)
A surprising number of human beings are without purpose, though it is probable that they are performing some function unknown to themselves (Picnic at Hanging Rock; writing credit: Cliff Green)
Clever
The lab test indicated abnormal lover function. (references; author: unknown)
Minds, like parachutes, only function when they are open. (references; author: unknown)
Movie/TV Titles
Jenny Eclair's Private Function (1999)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.
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Commercial Usage: Function
DomainTitle
References
  • Function Analysis Medical Equipment in France: A Strategic Entry Report, 1997 (reference)
  • The World Market for Carboxylic Acids with Added Oxygen Function and Their Anhydrides, Halides, Peroxides, Peroxyacids, and Their Halogenated, Sulfonated, Nitrated, or Nitrosated Derivatives: A 2004 Global Trade Perspective (reference)
    (more reference examples)
  
Books
  • Manual of Ornithology: Avian Structure & Function (reference)
  • The Axon: Structure, Function and Pathophysiology (reference)
  • T and B Lymphocytes: Recognition and Function (reference)
  • Mechanisms of Gene Expression: Structure, Function and Evolution of the Basal Transcriptional Machinery (reference)
  • The Basal Ganglia: Structure and Function (Advances in Behavioral Biology, Vol 27) (reference)
    (more book examples)
  
Periodicals
  
Theater & Movies
  • Developing Minds: Neuromotor Function (reference)
  • Lotus 1-2-3 3.0 Function Keys Etc. (reference)
    (more DVD examples; more video examples)
  
Music
  
High Tech
  
Consumer Goods
  • DeWalt DW566KK 7/8" SDS Plus Variable Speed Reversing Hammer Kit with Chipping Function and 5-Piece SDS Plus Bit Set (reference)
  • DeWalt DW567KK 1" SDS Plus Variable Speed Reversing Hammer Kit with Chipping Function includes 5-Piece SDS Plus Bit Set a $35.00 Value (reference)
    (more baby examples; more wireless phone examples; more garden examples; more kitchen examples; more tool examples)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.
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Image Slideshow: Function
Photos:
Function
More pictures...
Top     
Photo Album: Function
ThumbnailDescription & CreditThumbnailDescription & Credit
PET scan on an 11-year-old boy with hemophilia and AIDS. Before treatment subject was confused and somnolent. These symptoms were resolved with AZT therapy. The increase in green and red areas after treatment denotes a rise in glucose metabolism, indicating an improvement in brain function. Credit: Unknown photographer/artist.
A technique called in situ hybridization shows whether a gene is actively expressed in cells, and also provides clues to the gene's function. This technique has helped identify activated oncogenes in cancer cells, and their normal counterparts in normal cells, in many different species. In this photograph, a labeled DNA segment (a known oncogene) has been put into a mouse oocyte, a cell that develops into a mature egg cell. The labeled DNA has paired with (or hybridized to) multiple copies of RNA in the mouse oocyte. The presence of this RNA (shown here as black dots inside the nucleus of the immature cell) shows that the normal cellular counterpart of the oncogene is active, suggesting that it is critical for normal germ cell development.  Expression of genes is manifested by the production of RNA transcripts within cells. Hybridization histochemistry (in situ hybridization) permits localization of these transcripts with cellular or greater resolution. Furthermore, the relative amounts of transcripts detected within different tissues or the same tissues under different states (e.g., physiological or developmental) may be quantified. See artwork: GA-17. Credit: Unknown photographer/artist.
"Tetrahedron" by Владимир Смирнов (Vladimir Smirnov).  These platonic solids illustrate a clever use of the absolute value function.
The Seattle City Light property. A portion of this site, right side of the image, was used to create the Hamm Creek project which daylighted the creek and created several meanders to improve the habitat function of this salmon-bearing stream. Credit: NOAA Restoration Center.
Figure 37.  Bucknill-Casella manometric sounder, invented by Lieutenant John T. Bucknill of the Royal Engineers of the Royal Navy in 1870 to mitigate problems with existing sounding systems.  This sounder was based on Bourdon's tube, whose  curvature varied as a function of the pressure difference between the interior and the fluid in which it was immersed. Louis P. Casella made the final product. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now.
Figure 40.  Fol bathometer, designed by Hermann Fol who was a collaborator with Prince Albert I of Monaco.  This instrument used the same principle as the Erics son sounder.  Fol replaced water with mercury in order to determine the depth attained as a function of the quantity of liquid displaced by the pressure. Details concerning tests and effectiveness of this device are unknown. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now.
Figure 69.  Expendable bathythermograph made by Sippican Corporation.  These instruments pay out a copper wire upon descent that has varying conductivity as the temperature changes.  Depth is determined as a function of the rate of descent of the instrument.  These are used by ships while underway to determine the temperature profile of the water column and corresponding velocity profile. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now.
Figure 45. Pettersson small chain hydrometer, designed by Professors Otto and Hans Pettersson in 1917.  This instrument eliminated difficulties associated with the surface tension of the sample as well as variations of volume.  A small  metal chain helped achieve a balance by compensating for the buoyancy of the float as a function of the density of the liquid. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now.
Photographs received from TIROS I on second orbit showed Gulf of St. Lawrence and St. Lawrence River to the left.  Gray areas in Gulf were interpreted to be ice by Dr. Harry Wexler of the Weather Bureau.  This was first interpretation of sea ice, a major function of satellite imaging today.  Monthly Weather Review, May 1960, p. 182. Credit: NOAA in Space.
These foods are typical of those eaten by the 12 volunteers during a study of how plant-rich diets affect blood lipids, antioxidant defenses, and colon function. P. Credit: USDA ARS News; photo by Scott Bauer..
Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.
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Digital Photo Gallery: Function
 
"Table setting" by Tracy Woodward
Commentary: "Table placement taken at a function."		"Lightning strike" by Carl Dwyer
Commentary: "I found a really super, brilliant hidden funktion on my olympus 2000, you can set the exposure time upto 16 seconds, amazing eh, so the next thing I did was to go out and test its hidden function, simply wait for a storm to come and keep pressing the expo"

Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers.
Top     
Familiar Quotations: Function
AuthorQuotation
Author Unknown
The highest function of the teacher consists not so much in imparting knowledge as in stimulating the pupil in its love and pursuit.
Demosthenes
Minds are like parachutes, they only function when they're open.
Leonardo Da Vinci
The function of muscle is to pull and not to push, except in the case of the genitals and the tongue.
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Law is intelligence, whose natural function it is to command right conduct and forbid wrongdoing.
Margaret Fuller
The especial genius of women I believe to be electrical in movement, intuitive in function, spiritual in tendency.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references.
Top     
Historic Usage: Function
AuthorDateQuotation
John Locke
1690
This is demonstratively to reduce all to anarchy, and so effectually to dissolve the government: for laws not being made for themselves, but to be, by their execution, the bonds of the society, to keep every part of the body politic in its due place and function; when that totally ceases, the government visibly ceases, and the people become a confused multitude, without order or connexion. (Second Treatise of Government)
Treaty of Versailles
1919
Should one of the members of the Tribunal either die, retire, or be unable for any reason whatever to discharge his function, the same procedure will be followed for filling the vacancy as was followed for appointing him. (reference)
Winston S. Churchill
1946
Courts and magistrates may be set up but they cannot function without sheriffs and constables. ("Iron Curtain" Speech)
Brown v. Board of Education
1954
Today, education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments. (reference)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references.
Top     
Use in Literature: Function
TitleAuthorQuote
Les Miserables
Hugo, Victor
He exercised at M__ sur M__ the unpleasant, but useful, function of inspector
Grapes of Wrath
Steinbeck, John
And then, all of a sudden, the family began to function.
Walden
Thoreau, Henry David
In earlier ages, in some countries, every function was reverently spoken of and regulated by law.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references.
Top     
Non-Fiction Usage: Function
SubjectTopicQuote
Health
Cardiac function slows. (references)
Anorectal function tests. (references)
Significant decline in renal function. (references)
Business
As a result they do not function properly. (references)
It is a uniform name for the function of an office found in 20 counties. (references)
The big retailers who function as wholesalers cater primarily to the public. (references)
Children
Congo
Most schools function only in areas where parents have formed cooperatives. (references)
Indonesia
In 2000 UNICEF estimated that 8 million preschool-age children were undernourished, which threatens the development of brain function. (references)
India
The NHRC continue to use old concepts of mental health care and essentially function as custodial rather than therapeutic institutions. (references)
Civil Liberties
Iran
Registration of Baha'is is a police function. (references)
Tanzania
The law limits the media's ability to function effectively. (references)
Azerbaijan
Nevertheless, unregistered political parties continued to function openly. (references)
Discrimination
Brazil
In Sao Paulo in October, the country's first Homosexual Defender office began to function, funded in part by a grant from the federal Ministry of Justice. (references)
Economic History
Egypt
Product sales are a function of price. (references)
Kenya
This function of KIPO is under review. (references)
Human Rights
Ethiopia
In addition other traditional courts still function. (references)
Bulgaria
The process by which prisoners may complain of substandard conditions or of mistreatment does not function effectively. (references)
Senegal
The office had not begun to function by year's end, although it reportedly received numerous letters detailing human rights violations. (references)
Indigenous People
Bangladesh
The Land Commission that is to deal with land disputes between tribals and Bengali settlers does not yet function effectively in addressing critical land disputes. (references)
Minorities
Nepal
Economic, social and educational advancement tend to be a function of historical patterns, geographic location, and caste. (references)
Hungary
There were 770 Romani minority self-governments elected in the local elections in October 1998, a significant increase over the 477 elected self-governments in the first minority elections held in 1994.  The new self-governments began operating in January 1999.  Of these, 719 continued to function; a number of self-governments have ceased functioning since 1999 due to a lack of funds. (references)
Political Economy
Albania
The Democratic Party will function as the official opposition. (references)
Argentina
The Judicial Council, as established, does not function very efficiently. (references)
Maldives
Judges are appointed by the president and function under the Ministry of Justice. (references)
Political Rights
Somalia
In most regions, local clan leaders function as de facto rulers. (references)
Bolivia
Political parties ranging from far left to moderate right function openly. (references)
Malaysia
Over the years, Parliament's function as a deliberative body has deteriorated. (references)
Trade
New Zealand
The automated clearing function is run by EDS (N.Z.) Ltd. under contract to ISL. (references)
China
The applicable rebate method is a function of the establishment date of the enterprise. (references)
Canada
Product Identity Declaration: describes a product's common or generic name, or its function. (references)
Travel
Jordan
U.S.-based telephone calling cards such as ATT, MCI and Sprint do not function in Jordan. (references)
Kuwait
The approximate cost of a medium-size hospitality function at a five-star hotel would be US$20-30/guest for a first-class function. (references)
Worker Rights
Haiti
The courts function under the supervision of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. (references)
Lexicography
Devil's Dictionary
SYMBOLIC, adj.  Pertaining to symbols and the use and interpretation of symbols. They say 'tis conscience feels compunction; I hold that that's the stomach's function, For of the sinner I have noted That when he's sinned he's somewhat bloated, Or ill some other ghastly fashion Within that bowel of compassion. True, I believe the only sinner Is he that eats a shabby dinner. You know how Adam with good reason, For eating apples out of season, Was "cursed."  But that is all symbolic: The truth is, Adam had the colic. G.J. T T, the twentieth letter of the English alphabet, was by the Greeks absurdly called tau.  In the alphabet whence ours comes it had the form of the rude corkscrew of the period, and when it stood alone (which was more than the Phoenicians could always do) signified Tallegal, translated by the learned Dr. Brownrigg, "tanglefoot."
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.
Top     
Spoken Usage: Function
SpeakerPhrase(s)
Robert Atkins
We don't know why but we assume there is something in carbohydrate that would aggravate the stomach function. Because that's the one thing that's restricted.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.
Top     
Speeches: Function
SpeakerTermPhrase(s)
Thomas Jefferson
1801-1809In the mean time, their places are supplied by the officers before commanding there, and the function of the governor and judges of Indiana having commenced, the government, we presume, is proceeding in its new form.
Jimmy Carter
1977-1981We need patience and good will, but we really need to realize that there is a limit to the role and the function of government.
Ronald Reagan
1981-1989But the truth is that outside of its legitimate function, government does nothing as well or as economically as the private sector.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references.
Top     
Usage Frequency: Function
"Function" is generally used as a noun (singular) -- approximately 90.84% of the time. "Function" is used about 8,360 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted)
Parts of SpeechPercentUsage per
100 Million Words		Rank in English
Noun (singular)90.84%7,5941,272 
Lexical Verb (infinitive)8.59%7189,359 
Lexical Verb (base form)0.57%4849,194 
                    Total100.00%8,360N/A
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.
Top     
Expressions: Function
Expressions using "function": advanced Communications Function ♦ advanced Function Presentation ♦ advanced Function Printing ♦ Airy function ♦ Airy stress function ♦ Algebraic function ♦ alignment function ♦ anharmonic function ♦ appellative function ♦ arbitrary function ♦ Atrial Function ♦ attest function ♦ auxiliary function ♦ basic function ♦ behavioral decision function ♦ behavioural decision function ♦ Bessel function ♦ Bessel function distribution ♦ Bessel function of zero order ♦ bodily function ♦ Boolean function ♦ Boolean logical function ♦ Boole's function ♦ Boole's logical function ♦ builtin function ♦ Carnot's function ♦ characterisic function ♦ characteristic function ♦ Circular function ♦ clearance function ♦ continuous function ♦ control function ♦ curried function ♦ derived function ♦ descent function ♦ describing function ♦ Discontinuous function ♦ dynamic route selection function ♦ Elliptic function ♦ executable function ♦ Explicit function ♦ exponential function ♦ expressive function ♦ force function ♦ form function ♦ function affecting maintenance ♦ function application ♦ function as ♦ function call ♦ function complete ♦ function degrading failure ♦ function degrading maintenance ♦ function Graph Language ♦ function key ♦ function permitting failure ♦ function permitting maintenance ♦ function Point Analysis ♦ function preventing failure ♦ function preventing maintenance ♦ function procedure ♦ function room ♦ function rooms ♦ function suite ♦ function table ♦ function tabulating ♦ function word ♦ goodness function ♦ hash function ♦ immune function ♦ Implicit function ♦ Increasing function ♦ inner work function ♦ instrumental function ♦ integer function ♦ international Function Point Users Group ♦ inverse function ♦ iterated Function System ♦ line function ♦ linear function ♦ localisation of function ♦ localization of function ♦ locomotion function ♦ mathematical function ♦ member function ♦ membership function ♦ memo function ♦ memoised function ♦ memoized function ♦ message digest function ♦ Mixed Function Oxidases ♦ monetary amount function ♦ monotonically increasing function ♦ nonlinear function ♦ normalisation of frequency function ♦ normalization of frequency function ♦ OR function ♦ Ovarian Function Tests ♦ Pancreatic Function Tests ♦ partial function ♦ party function code qualifier ♦ periodic function. Additional references.
Hyphenated Usage
Beginning with "function": function-associated, Function-Associated, function-based, function-by-function, function-division, function-focused, function-independent, function-led, function-orientation, function-oriented, function-related, function-word, function-word-dependent.
Ending with "function": multi-function, single-function.
Containing "function": one-function-per-button.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.
Top     
Frequency of Internet Keywords: Function
The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com.
 
ExpressionFrequency
per Day		ExpressionFrequency
per Day
array function vb
1,674
conjunction function
53
function htmlencode text
482
thyroid function
52
liver function
269
trigonometric function
50
function
191
exponential function
47
liver function test
181
function of the pancreas
43
kidney function
145
math function
40
brain function
139
function management planning
39
pulmonary function test
127
quadratic function
38
function management
89
quality function deployment
37
function generator
85
sql function
36
gall bladder function
76
function hire room
36
multi function printer
69
linear function
35
excel function
67
function junction
31
four function management
64
renal function
31
java script function
63
inverse function
31
heart function
63
function management organizing
31
function of the spleen
60
function logarithmic
31
trig function
59
function hyperbolic
30
my function key
54
mathematical function
30
function href uri
53
lung function
29
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.
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Modern Translation: Function
Language Translations for "function"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses.
Afrikaans
  
werk (chore, job, operate, run, work), loop (flow, operate, run, work), funksie, amp (job, office, post). (various references)
   
Albanian
  
funksionoj (functionate, operate, run, work). (various references)
   
Arabic 
  
‏مهمة (assignment, business, charge, commission, designation, duty, errand, job, mission, office, place, stint, task, undertaking, work), ‏مهنة (avocation, business, calling, career, craftsmanship, job, metier, occupation, practice, profession, pursuit, trade, vocation, work), ‏مناسبة عامة, ‏مأدبة (banquet, feast, junket, repast, spread, tuck), ‏لعب دور (play), ‏وظيفة (berth, billet, capacity, frame, job, khanate, metier, office, place, position, role, service), ‏تابع (adherent, attached, citizen, dependent, disciple, follow, follow up, follower, following, forward, get on, go ahead, keep an eye on, page, post, press, pursue, put up with, redirect, satellite, send on, sub, subject, subordinate, subsequent, subservient, subsidiary, tributary, under one's thumb, underlying, urge, vassal), ‏عمل (act, action, aggravation, berth, business, deed, elaborate, employment, engagement, fag, feat, gird on, job, labor, labour, making, occupation, place, pursuit, racket, see, situation, task, work), ‏أدى (bring, bring about, conduct, do, execute, fulfil, fulfill, give rise to, go, perform, put on, result), ‏دور (age, circle, cycle, floor, part, place, refrain, role, round, say, storey, turn). (various references)
   
Bulgarian 
  
служа за, служба (body, duty, employment, job, office, place, position, post, room, service, situation), работа (affair, avocation, berth, billet, business, char, concern, dealings, do, employ, employment, engagement, job, labor, labour, lay, line, matter, occasions, occupation, operation, part, performance, place, ploy, proceedings, proposition, run, running, service, shebang, shop, show, situation, thing, undertaking, work, working, workmanship), церемония (ceremony, exercises, production, rite), функция (action, attribution, fluent), функционирам (functionate, operate, perform, tick), тържество (exercises, fiesta, gala, rout, solemnity), предназначение (designation, destination, purpose), изпълнявам функцията на. (various references)
   
Chinese 
  
功能 , 性能  (performance), 機能 , 作用 (Effect, effects), 函數 . (various references)
   
Czech
  
funkce (appointment, behavior, behaviour, job, use), fungovat (behave, functionate, go, operate, perform, run, work), slavnost (celebration, ceremony, festival, fete, fiesta, gala, solemnization), recepce (banquet, reception), pracovat (act, engage in, go out to work, labor, labour, operate, perform, work, work at), poslání (calling, commission, mission, vocation), pùsobit (act, come across, counterwork, create, operate, touch, work). (various references)
   
Danish
  
funktion (feature, function procedure, performance), embede (job, office, post). (various references)
   
Dutch
  
functie (job title, position), het doen (operate, run, work), functioneren (operate, run, work). (various references)
   
Esperanto
  
funkcio, funkcii (operate, run, work), ofico (job, office, post). (various references)
   
Faeroese
  
virki (factory), virka (act, be effective, have effect, operate, run, take action, work), starvsháttur, starva (operate, run, work), starv (job, mission, office, post, practice, profession). (various references)
   
Farsi 
  
پیشه  (Craft, Mystery, Occupation, Profession, Pursuit, Trade, Vocation), مقام  (Capacity, Dignity, Eminence, Office, Order, Pew, Portfolio, Post, Rank, Station, Stature, Status, Title), ماموریت  (Agency, Assignment, Duty, Errand, Mission, Tour), کارکرد, کارویژه , کار (Act, Activity, Affair, Appointment, Avocation, Deed, Duty, Fist, Job, Office, Opus, Ploy, Proposition, Service, Shebang, Task, Thing, Vocation, Work, Workmanship), وظیفه داشتن , وظیفه  (Assignment, Duty, Incumbency, Obligation, Office, Role, Service, Task, Taskwork, Work), تابع  (Accessory, Adjective, Ancillary, Citizen, Incident, Passive, Sub, Submission, Subsidiary, Suffragan, Tributary), عمل کردن  (Act, Do, Exercise, Work), عمل  (Act, Experiment, Exploit, Issue, Jest, Latitude, Operation, Ploy, Work), ایفاء , اءین رسمی . (various references)
   
Finnish
  
toiminta (action, activities, activity, operation), toimia (act, be in action, be in operation, go about a thing, operate, run, take action, work). (various references)
   
French
  
fonction (function procedure), fonctionner, emploi. (various references)
   
Frisian
  
funksje, amt (job, office, post). (various references)
   
German
  
Funktion (derivative, functioning, funktion, office, position, role, waveform), funktionieren (act, operate, operation, perform, tick, to work, work, work out, wrought), Aufgabe (abandonment, assigned job, assignment, business, checking in, discontinuation, dispatch, dropping, duty, exercise, giving up, homework, insertion, job, labor, labour, mailing, mission, placing, problem, purpose, question, registration, release, relinquishment, remit, renouncement, renunciation, retirement, serve, service, stint, surrender, task, vacation, work), amt (authority, bureau, charge, department, duty, exchange, job, office, post, task, trunk). (various references)
   
Greek 
  
λειτουργία (action, choral service, liturgy, mass, ministration, office, operation, service), δεξίωση (reception). (various references)
   
Hawaiian
  
funksionoj (operate, run, work). (various references)
   
Hebrew 
  
לתפקד, לשמש בתפקיד (serve), לשמש (attend, minister, officiate, play a role, serve), לפעול (accomplish, achieve, act, do, influence, make, perform, work), לכהן (hold office, minister, officiate, serve for), תפקיד (assignment, charge, command, duty, mission, order, part, place, role, stint, task), פונקציה, פעולה (act, action, activity, deed, doing, operation, performance), ארוע צבורי. (various references)
   
Hungarian
  
tisztség (office, place, position, post, state), tevékenység (action, activity, agency, evangelism, game, pursuit, strenuousness, work), szerep (cue, lines, part, role), rendeltetés (be-all and end-all, designation), kötelesség (charge, devoir, duty, incumbency, obligation, ought, role), hivatás (avocation, calling, following, métier, metier, place, profession, vocation), funkció (duty), feladat (assignment, challenge, commitment, duty, job, lesson, mission, objective, project, proposition, role, scheme, target, task), függvény (window-curtain), estély (ball, crush, shindig, social evening, soiree), összejövetel (assembly, bash, bee, clubbing, consort, gathering, get together, party, reunion, rout, salon). (various references)
   
Indonesian
  
fungsi, faal (action, deep, omen, sign, work). (various references)
   
Irish
  
gníomh. (various references)
   
Italian
  
funzione (capacity, derivative, employment, job, office, operation, position, post, role, service, task, working), impiego (application, berth, employ, employment, exertion, investment, job, occupation, office, place, position, post, situation, use), funzionare (act, behave, go, operate, pay off, run, tick, work). (various references)
   
Japanese Kanji 
  
能  (being skilled in, gift, nicely, Noh play, properly, skillfully, talent, thoroughly, well), 職能  (work ability), 職掌  (office, official duties), 関数 , 行事  (event), 働き  (ability, achievement, action, activity, conjugation, inflection, labor, motion, movement, operation, talent, work, workings), ファロー鹿  (fallow deer, fan, fan club, fancy, fancy ball, fancy dress, fancy food, fancy goods, fancy store, fanfare, fan-jet, fan-out, fantastic, fantasy, feasibility study, feature, feed, feedback, feeder, feeding, feet, foot, foundation, fumble, fun, fun fair, function key, functor, fund, fund manager, fund trust, fundamental, fundamentals, funk, funky, phantom), 機能　 (faculty), 機能  (faculty), 権能  (authority, power), 作用  (action, effect, operation), 函数 , 任務  (duty, mission, office, task), 催し  (auspices, event, festivities, holding, opening, social gathering). (various references)
   
Japanese Katakana 
  
ぎょうじ (event, sumo referee), ファンクション , きのう (air bladder or sac, faculty, inductive, take up farming again, yesterday), しょくしょう (be fed up, office, official duties), しょくのう (work ability), さよう (action, effect, indeed, like that, of that kind, operation, so, such, that's right, well..., yes), のう (agriculture, brain, farming, gift, memory, Noh play, talent), にんむ (duty, mission, office, task), かんすう (hay), もよおし (auspices, event, festivities, holding, opening, social gathering), けんのう (authority, donation, offering, power, presentation), はたらき (ability, achievement, action, activity, conjugation, inflection, labor, motion, movement, operation, talent, work, workings). (various references)
   
Korean 
  
기능 (Facultative, functional, functionality). (various references)
   
Manx
  
obbraghey (act, action, behaviour, behaviour of machines, crew, cultivate, elaboration, employment, exercise, forge, handle, handling, influence, labour, motion, operate, operation, performance, ply, process, start, wangle; persuance, work, work up, wreak), foaynoo (avail, availment, consequence, essence, fame, fettle, form, import, importance, order, reputation, state, utility, value, worth), curmeyder (overseer, regulator, superior), cruinnaght (assembly, eisteddfod, event, gathering). (various references)
   
Norwegian
  
funksjon, fungere, oppgave. (various references)
   
Papiamen
  
funshoná (operate, run, work), puesto (job, office, post). (various references)
   
Pig Latin
  
unctionfay.(various references)
   
Polish
  
funkcjonować (operate, run, work), działać (operate, run, work). (various references)
   
Portuguese
  
função (duty, mission, office, place, post, role), funcionar (behave, functionate, move, operate, run, work). (various references)
   
Romanian
  
funcţiona (act, be at work, beat, behave, functionate, hit, move, operate, run, work). (various references)
   
Russian 
  
функция (dependent variable), назначение (apointment, apointment as, appointment, assignation, assignment, nomination, purpose), должность (job title, office, place, position, post, secretaryship). (various references)
   
Serbo-Croatian
  
funkcionisati (operate), funkcija, uloga (part, personage, role), priredba (show). (various references)
   
Spanish
  
función (abbacy, draw, entertainment, feature, job, occasion, office, performance, post, show, stand), funcionar (act, behave, flush, functionate, go, live, operate, perform, play, roll, run, start, tape, work), oficio (career, career office, craft, enterprise, handicraft, job, mass, metier, occupation, office, pantry, place, position, post, profession, role, service, skill, trade, walks of life). (various references)
   
Swedish
  
funktion (action, duty, operating, operation, order). (various references)
   
Thai
  
ทำงาน, การทำงาน, หน้าที่ (business, obligation, onus). (various references)
   
Turkish
  
fonksiyon, yükümlülük (charge, compulsion, duty, encumbrance, engagement, impost, incumbency, liability, obligation, onus, ought, responsibility), toplantı (assemblage, assembly, company, concourse, conference, congress, convention, convocation, court, forum, gathering, get together, meeting, parley, powwow, rally, séance, session), işlevini yerine getirmek, işlev, işlemek (brake, brand, commit, cultivate, discourse, engrave, farm, ferry, forge, go, grave, hammer, handle, indwell, instil, instill, operate, penetrate, perform, perpetrate, print, process, run, sink, sink into, stamp, strike, tame, till, travel, treat, work), iş (activity, affair, appointment, assignment, ball game, billet, biz, business, calling, cause, commerce, concern, dealing, deed, doing, doings, employment, ergo-, gig, handiwork, job, metier, mission, occupation, occupational, operation, piece, piece of work, place, ploy, post, profession, pursuit, racket, regulation, shop, show, spindle, stint, task, things to do, trade, work, working, workings, works), hizmet (duty, employment, labor, labor intensive, labour, labour intensive, ministration, ministry, service), görev (appointment, assignment, billet, business, charge, commission, devoir, duty, employment, incumbency, job, mission, office, part, piece of work, position, service, situation, stint, task, work, workings), amaç (aim, bourn, Bourne, cause, consummation, design, destination, dream, drift, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, meaning, mission, object, objective, plan, point, purpose, purview, scope, sense, target, terminus, turn, use, view, wherefore, will), çalışmak (aim, aim at, behave, catch, endeavor, endeavour, fire, labor, labour, operate, practice, practise, serve, start, start up, struggle, study, try, work). (various references)
   
Turkmen 
  
funksiяa (r), яagdaяlaюmak (operate). (various references)
   
Ukrainian
  
функція (duty, office), функціонувати (functionate, go, open), виконувати обов'язки (officiate), діяльність (action, activity, practice). (various references)
   
Vietnamese 
  
trách nhiệm  buổi lễ (functionate), buổi họp mặt chính thức (functionate). (various references)
Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references.
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Ancestral Language Translations: Function
LanguagePeriodTranslations
Sumerian3100 BCE-2500 BCE
1. me. (various references)
Latin500 BCE-Modern
munera, munere, muneribus, muneris, munerum, munus, munus, muneris, officium. (various references)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references.
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Derivations & Misspellings: Function
Derivations
Words beginning with "function": functional, functionalism, functionalisms, functionalist, functionalistic, functionalists, functionalities, functionality, functionally, functionaries, functionary, functioned, functioning, functionless, functions. (additional references)
Words ending with "function": cofunction, disfunction, dysfunction, hyperfunction, malfunction, misfunction, multifunction. (additional references)
Words containing "function": bifunctional, cofunctions, difunctional, disfunctional, disfunctions, dysfunctional, dysfunctions, hyperfunctional, hyperfunctioning, hyperfunctions, malfunctioned, malfunctioning, malfunctions, misfunctioned, misfunctioning, misfunctions, multifunctional, nonfunctional, nonfunctioning, semifunctional. (additional references)

Misspellings
"Function" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: aunction, dunction, fantion, flunction, fonction, Fonstein, fuction, functio, functiona, functon, funkotron, funtion, funton, Runcton. (additional references)
Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references).
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Rhyming with "Function"
# of Phoneme MatchesPronunciationWord(s) rhyming with "function" (pronounced fu"ngkshun)
7f u" ng k sh u ndysfunction, malfunction.
6-u" ng k sh u ncompunction, conjunction, injunction, junction.
5-ng k sh u ndistinction, extinction, sanction.
4-k sh u nfaction, fiction, abstraction, abduction, action, addiction, advection, affection, affliction, attraction, auction, benediction, circumspection, collection, complexion, concoction, conduction, confection, connection, constriction, construction, contraction, contradiction, convection, conviction, correction, crucifixion, deconstruction, deduction, defection, depiction, dereliction, destruction, detection, diction, diffraction, direction, disaffection, disconnection, disinfection, dissatisfaction, dissection, distraction, ejection, election, erection, eviction, exaction, extraction, flexion, fraction, friction, imperfection, inaction, induction, infarction, infection, inflection, infliction, infraction, injection, inspection, instruction, insurrection, interaction, interconnection, interdiction, interjection, intersection, introduction, introspection, jurisdiction, liposuction, liquefaction, midsection, nonfiction, objection, obstruction, overproduction, overprotection, overreaction, perfection, prediction, predilection, preelection, production, projection, protection, reaction, recollection, reconstruction, redirection, reduction, reelection, reflection, reinspection, reintroduction, rejection, reproduction, restriction, resurrection, retraction, satisfaction, section, seduction, selection, subsection, subtraction, suction, traction, transaction, transection.
3-sh u nfacilitation, falsification, fascination, fashion, federation, fermentation, fertilization, fibrillation, figuration, filtration, fission, abrogation, absolution, absorption, academician, acceleration, accession, acclimation, accommodation, abbreviation, abdication, aberration, abolition, abomination, abortion, accreditation, accretion, accumulation, accusation, acidification, acquisition, activation, adaptation, addition, adjudication, administration, admiration, admission, admonition, adoption, adoration, adulation, advocation, affectation, affiliation, affirmation, agglomeration, aggravation, aggression, agitation, alienation, allegation, alleviation, alliteration, allocation, alphabetization, alteration, altercation, alternation, amalgamation, ambition, amelioration, ammunition, amortization, amplification, amputation, animation, annexation, annihilation, annotation, antiabortion, anticipation, anticorruption, antidiscrimination, apparition, appellation, application, apportion, appreciation, apprehension, approbation, appropriation, approximation, arbitration, argumentation, articulation, ascension, ashen, aspiration, assassination, assertion, assimilation, association, assumption, attention, attribution, attrition, audition, augmentation, authentication, authorization, automation, aviation, avocation, balkanization, beautician, bifurcation, brutalization, calculation, calibration, cancellation, cannibalization, capitalization, capitulation, caption, carburetion, carnation, castration, categorization, causation, caution, celebration, centralization, certification, cessation, cetacean, characterization, circulation, citation, civilization, clarification, classification, clinician, coagulation, coalition, codification, coercion, cogeneration, cogitation, cognition, cohabitation, collaboration, collectivization, colonization, coloration, colorization, combination, commemoration, commendation, commercialization, commission, commotion, communication, communization, compassion, compensation, competition, compilation, completion, complication, composition, comprehension, compression, compulsion, computation, computerization, concatenation, concentration, conception, conceptualization, concession, conciliation, concussion, condemnation, condensation, condescension, condition, confabulation, confederation, confession, configuration, confirmation, confiscation, conflagration, confrontation, conglomeration, congratulation, congregation, conjugation, conniption, connotation, conscription, consecration, conservation, consideration, consolation, consolidation, constellation, consternation, constipation, constitution, consultation, consummation, consumption, contamination, contemplation, contention, continuation, contortion, contraception, contraption, contribution, contrition, convention, conversation, convocation, convolution, convulsion, cooperation, coordination, coronation, corporation, correlation, corroboration, corruption, counterrevolution, creation, cremation, criminalization, crustacean, culmination, cultivation, cushion, dalmatian, damnation, decaffeination, decapitation, deceleration, decentralization, deception, decertification, decimation, declaration, decommission, decomposition, decompression, decontamination, decoration, decriminalization, dedication, defamation, definition, deflation, deforestation, deformation, degeneration, degradation, dehumanization, dehydration, deification, deinstitutionalization, delegation, deletion, deliberation, delineation, demarcation, demilitarization, demobilization, democratization, demodulation, demolition, demonization, demonstration, demoralization, demotion, denationalization, denomination, dentition, denuclearization, denunciation, depletion, depopulation, deportation, deposition, depravation, depreciation, depredation, depression, deprivation, deregulation, derivation, desalination, desalinization, description, desecration, desegregation, desertion, desiccation, designation, desolation, desperation, destabilization, destination, destitution, detention, deterioration, determination, detonation, detoxication, detoxification, devaluation, devastation, deviation, devolution, devotion, dictation, dietitian, differentiation, digression, dilatation, dilation, dilution, dimension, diminution, discoloration, discontinuation, discretion, discrimination, discussion, disembarkation, disinclination, disinflation, disinformation, disintegration, dislocation, disorganization, disorientation, dispensation, disposition, disputation, disqualification, disruption, dissemination, dissension, dissertation, dissipation, dissociation, dissolution, distillation, distortion, distribution, diversification, divination, documentation, domestication, domination, donation, dramatization, duplication, duration, echolocation, edification, edition, education, egyptian, ejaculation, elaboration, elation, electrician, electrification, electrocution, elevation, elimination, elocution, elongation, emanation, emancipation, embarkation, emigration, emission, emotion, emulation, emulsion, encryption, enumeration, equalization, equitation, equivocation, eradication, erudition, eruption, escalation, estimation, evacuation, evaluation, evaporation, evocation, evolution, exacerbation, exaggeration, examination, exasperation, excavation, exception, excitation, exclamation, excommunication, excoriation, excretion, execution, exemption, exertion, exfoliation, exhalation, exhibition, exhilaration, exhortation, exhumation, exoneration, expansion, expatriation, expectation, expedition, experimentation, expiration, explanation, explication, exploitation, exploration, exposition, expression, expropriation, expulsion, extension, extermination, extortion, extradition, extrapolation, fabrication, fixation, flirtation, flotation, fluctuation, fluoridation, foliation, formalization, formation, formulation, fortification, foundation, fragmentation, freshen, fruition, frustration, fumigation, gasification, gastrulation, generalization, generation, gentian, gentrification, geriatrician, germination, gestation, glaciation, globalization, glorification, gradation, graduation, granulation, gratification, gravitation, gumption, gyration, habitation, hallucination, harmonization, hesitation, hessian, hibernation, homogenization, hospitalization, humiliation, hybridization, hydration, hydrogenation, hyperinflation, hypertension, hypotension, identification, ignition, illumination, illustration, imagination, imitation, immigration, immunization, impassion, impersonation, implantation, implementation, implication, importation, imposition, impregnation, impression, improvisation, imputation, inactivation, inauguration, incantation, incapacitation, incarceration, incarnation, inception, incineration, inclination, incoordination, incorporation, incrimination, incrustation, incubation, indemnification, indentation, indexation, indication, indignation, indiscretion, indoctrination, industrialization, infatuation, infestation, infiltration, inflammation, inflation, information, inhabitation, inhalation, inhibition, initiation, innovation, inoculation, inquisition, inscription, insemination, insertion, insinuation, inspiration, installation, instigation, institution, institutionalization, instrumentation, insubordination, insulation, integration, intensification, interception, intercession, intermission, internationalization, interpretation, interrogation, interruption, intimation, intimidation, intonation, intoxication, intuition, inundation, invalidation, invention, investigation, invitation, invocation, ionization, irradiation, irrigation, irritation, isolation, jubilation, justification, juxtaposition, laceration, lactation, legalization, legislation, levitation, liberalization, liberation, libration, ligation, lilliputian, limitation, liquidation, litigation, localization, location, locomotion, logician, lotion, lubrication, machination, magician, magnetization, magnification, malformation, malnutrition, manifestation, manipulation, mansion, marginalization, martian, masturbation, mathematician, maturation, maximization, mechanization, mediation, medication, meditation, menstruation, mention, migration, mineralization, miniaturization, ministration, misallocation, misapplication, misapprehension, misappropriation, miscalculation, mischaracterization, miscommunication, misconception, miscreation, misidentification, misimpression, misinformation, misinterpretation, misperception, misrepresentation, mission, mitigation, mobilization, moderation, modernization, modification, modulation, molestation, monopolization, mortician, motion, motivation, multiplication, mummification, munition, musician, mutation, mutilation, narration, nation, nationalization, naturalization, navigation, negation, negotiation, neutralization, nitration, nomination, nonaggression, nondiscrimination, nonprescription, nonproliferation, normalization, notation, notification, notion, nucleation, nullification, nutrition, obfuscation, obligation, observation, obsession, obstetrician, occupation, ocean, omission, operation, opposition, oppression, optician, optimization, option, oration, orchestration, ordination, organisation, organization, orientation, origination, ornamentation, oscillation, ossification, ostentation, ovation, overconsumption, overexpansion, overpopulation, overregulation, oversimplification, overvaluation, ovulation, oxidation, pacification, pagination, palpitation, participation, partition, passion, pasteurization, patrician, pediatrician, penetration, pension, perception, percussion, perforation, permission, permutation, perpetuation, persecution, personalization, personification, perspiration, perturbation, petition, physician, pigmentation, plantation, polarization, politician, politicization, pollination, pollution, pontification, popularization, population, portion, position, possession, potion, precaution, precession, precipitation, preconception, precondition, predestination, predisposition, preemption, prefabrication, preignition, premeditation, premonition, preoccupation, preparation, prescription, presentation, preservation, pressurization, presumption, presupposition, pretension, prevention, privation, privatization, probation, procession, proclamation, procrastination, procreation, profanation, profession, prognostication, progression, prohibition, proliferation, promotion, pronunciation, propagation, proportion, proposition, propulsion, proration, proscription, prosecution, prostitution, prostration, protestation, provocation, publication, punctuation, purification, qualification, quantification, quotation, radiation, radicalization, ramification, ratification, ration, rationalization, reaffirmation, realization, reallocation, reassertion, reauthorization, recalculation, recantation, recapitalization, reception, recertification, recession, recitation, reclamation, reclassification, recognition, recommendation, reconciliation, recondition, reconfiguration, reconfirmation, reconsideration, recreation, recrimination, rectification, recuperation, redecoration, rededication, redefinition, redemption, redistribution, reeducation, reevaluation, reexamination, reflation, reforestation, reformation, refrigeration, refutation, regeneration, regimentation, registration, regression, regulation, rehabilitation, rehydration, reimposition, reincarnation, reincorporation, reintegration, reinterpretation, reinvention, reinvigoration, reiteration, rejuvenation, relation, relaxation, relocation, remediation, remission, remuneration, renationalization, rendition, renegotiation, renomination, renovation, renunciation, reorganization, reparation, repatriation, repercussion, repetition, replication, reposition, repossession, representation, repression, repudiation, reputation, requisition, reregulation, reservation, resignation, resolution, respiration, restitution, restoration, resumption, resuscitation, retaliation, retardation, retention, retransmission, retribution, reunification, revaluation, revelation, reverberation, revitalization, revocation, revolution, revulsion, rhetorician, rotation, rumination, salvation, sanctification, sanitation, saponification, saturation, secession, secretion, securitization, sedation, sedimentation, sedition, segmentation, segregation, sensation, separation, sequestration, session, simplification, simulation, situation, socialization, solicitation, solution, sophistication, specialization, specification, speculation, stabilization, stagflation, stagnation, standardization, starvation, station, statistician, sterilization, stimulation, stipulation, strangulation, subluxation, submission, subordination, subscription, subsidization, substantiation, substation, substitution, suburbanization, succession, suffocation, summation, superstation, superstition, supposition, suppression, suspension, suspicion, syncopation, syndication, tabulation, tactician, taxation, technician, telecommunication, temptation, tension, termination, theoretician, titian, titillation, toleration, tradition, transcription, transformation, transgression, transillumination, transition, translation, transmission, transplantation, transportation, trepidation, triangulation, tribulation, tuition, undervaluation, unification, unionization, urbanization, usurpation, utilization, vacation, vaccination, vacillation, validation, valuation, vaporization, variation, vegetation, venetian, ventilation, verification, vibration, victimization, vilification, vindication, violation, visitation, visualization, vocation, volition, vulgarization, westernization, workstation.
Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits.
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Anagrams: Function
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams
Words within the letters "c-f-i-n-n-o-t-u"
-1 letter: unction.
-2 letters: confit, nuncio.
-3 letters: conin, count, cutin, fount, futon, niton, ontic, tonic, tunic, unfit, union.
-4 letters: cion, coft, coif, coin, coni, conn, cuif, fico, fino, foci, foin, font, fuci, icon, info, into, noun, otic, tofu, unci, unco, unit, unto.
-5 letters: con, cot, cut, fin, fit, fon, fou, fun, inn, ion, nit, not, nun, nut.
 Words containing the letters "c-f-i-n-n-o-t-u"
 
+1 letter: confuting, functions.
 
+2 letters: cofunction, functional, functioned.
 
+3 letters: cofunctions, confutation, disfunction, dysfunction, fecundation, fucoxanthin, functionary, functioning, malfunction, misfunction, unification.
 
+4 letters: bifunctional, confutations, difunctional, disfunctions, dysfunctions, fecundations, fucoxanthins, functionally, functionless, genuflection, malfunctions, misfunctions, unconformity, unifications.
 
+5 letters: autoinfection, confabulating, confabulation, configuration, counterfiring, disfunctional, dysfunctional, functionalism, functionalist, functionality, functionaries, genuflections, hyperfunction, malfunctioned, misfunctioned, multifunction, nonfunctional, noninfectious, nullification, reunification, unforthcoming.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro.
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INDEX
 1. Definition 
 2. Synonyms 
 3. Crosswords 
 4. Usage: Modern 		 5. Usage: Commercial 
 6. Images: Slideshow 
 7. Images: Photo Album 
 8. Images: Digital Art 		 9. Quotations: Familiar 
 10. Quotations: Historic 
 11. Quotations: Fiction 
 12. Quotations: Non-fiction 		 13. Quotations: Spoken 
 14. Quotations: Speeches 
 15. Usage Frequency 
 16. Expressions 		 17. Expressions: Internet 
 18. Translations: Modern 
 19. Translations: Ancient 
 20. Abbreviations 		 21. Acronyms 
 22. Derivations 
 23. Rhymes 
 24. Anagrams 		 25. Bibliography 


  
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