Engineering English
Function
Software Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A named, reusable block of code that performs a specific task and can accept inputs and return a result. It helps organize programs into smaller, testable units.
Example in context
“She wrote a small function that converts raw voltage readings into calibrated temperature values for the report.”
“Rapor için ham gerilim okumalarını kalibre edilmiş sıcaklık değerlerine dönüştüren küçük bir fonksiyon yazdı.”
Where engineers use it
Fundamental in every programming language and codebase. Engineers define functions to break complex tasks into reusable, testable pieces, pass data through parameters, and compose them to build larger program logic.
Synonyms: subroutine, procedure
Practice: can you use “Function” at work?
You find a fifty-line script that repeats the same calculation three times. Explain how you would restructure it using functions and what inputs and outputs each would have.
Show a model answer
“Extract that logic into a separate function so we can reuse it.”
“Function” in 21 languages
| English | Function |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Fonksiyon |
| French | Fonction |
| German | Funktion |
| Spanish | Función |
| Chinese | 函数 |
| Arabic | دالة |
| Portuguese | Função |
| Russian | Функция |
| Japanese | 関数 |
| Italian | Funzione |
| Vietnamese | Hàm |
| Hindi | फ़ंक्शन |
| Thai | ฟังก์ชัน |
| Indonesian | Fungsi |
| Korean | 함수 |
| Bengali | ফাংশন |
| Dutch | Functie |
| Swedish | Funktion |
| Finnish | Funktio |
| Ukrainian | Функція |
Frequently asked questions
What does Function mean in engineering?
A named, reusable block of code that performs a specific task and can accept inputs and return a result. It helps organize programs into smaller, testable units. In Software Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Function?
Function is pronounced /ˈfʌŋkʃən/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Function used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “She wrote a small function that converts raw voltage readings into calibrated temperature values for the report.”
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