dysfunction

[ dis-fuhngk-shuh n ]
/ dɪsˈfʌŋk ʃən /

noun

Medicine/Medical. malfunctioning, as of an organ or structure of the body.
any malfunctioning part or element: the dysfunctions of the country's economy.
Sociology. a consequence of a social practice or behavior pattern that undermines the stability of a social system.

Origin of dysfunction

First recorded in 1915–20; dys- + function

OTHER WORDS FROM dysfunction

dys·func·tion·al, adjective

Words nearby dysfunction

dyserethism, dysergia, dysesthesia, dysfibrinogenemia, dysfluency, dysfunction, dysfunctional, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, dysgammaglobulinemia, dysgenesis, dysgenic

Example sentences from the Web for dysfunction

British Dictionary definitions for dysfunction

dysfunction
/ (dɪsˈfʌŋkʃən) /

noun

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

Medical definitions for dysfunction

dysfunction

n.

Abnormal or impaired functioning, especially of a bodily system or organ.

Other words from dysfunction

dys•func′tion•al adj.