dysfunction

[ dis-fuhngk-shuhn ]

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. malfunctioning, as of an organ or structure of the body.
2. any malfunctioning part or element:

   the dysfunctions of the country's economy.

3. Sociology. a consequence of a social practice or behavior pattern that undermines the stability of a social system.

dysfunction

/ dɪsˈfʌŋkʃən /

noun

1. med any disturbance or abnormality in the function of an organ or part
2. (esp of a family) failure to show the characteristics or fulfil the purposes accepted as normal or beneficial

Other Words From

• dys·function·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dysfunction¹

First recorded in 1915–20; dys- + function

Example Sentences

The dysfunction is one of the signs of a “dying superpower,” Applebaum wrote.

From Washington Post

Some of them are dysfunctions unique to that particular vaccine site, and as a national reporter, they’re not my story to tell.

From ProPublica

Keeping in mind the dysfunction of this moment and of our system generally, MacKenzie Elmer attempted to answer some of the big outstanding questions on vaccine distribution.

From Voice of San Diego

To say a person has no country then calls to mind dysfunction, trauma, or tragedy.

From Nautilus

Watson has transcended the organizational dysfunction around him, becoming one of the NFL’s best players despite the obstacles placed in front of him by his own team.

From Washington Post

They started CounterPAC, an organization designed to fight dysfunction in politics by changing the rules of the game.

From The Daily Beast

Might as well laugh along with the Griswolds at the forthcoming dysfunction.

From The Daily Beast

Call it tragic, call it comic, or call it both: The most enduring legacy of Viagra might be erectile dysfunction jokes.

From The Daily Beast

Erectile dysfunction jokes have become a staple for comedy in the last 15 years.

From The Daily Beast

If you were in the business of telling jokes in the 2000s, Viagra and erectile dysfunction were the gifts that kept on giving.

From The Daily Beast

The doc diagnosed nonchemical dysfunction, which was by way of saying that it was her mind, not her brain, that was broken.

From Project Gutenberg

You can get counseling for nonchemical dysfunction, basically trying to talk it out, learn to feel better about yourself.

From Project Gutenberg