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ReadingWillow structured literacy program for Australian students

Dictionary Entry

malfunction

noun

Find the meaning of the word malfunction, plus dictionary definition, pronunciation, thesaurus-style synonyms, antonyms, and related vocabulary.

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Meaning

Dictionary meaning in a clear, student-friendly format.

A failure to function normally or properly, especially in a machine, system, or part of something.

Example Sentence

The robot experienced a critical malfunction during the demonstration, causing it to stop moving unexpectedly.

Usage Note

This word is commonly used to describe when a machine, device, or system stops working correctly or behaves unexpectedly. It can also be used as a verb (e.g., 'The engine began to malfunction'). It implies an internal fault rather than external damage.