essentialfunction

noun
UK /ɪˈsɛnʃəl ˈfʌŋkʃən/
US /ɪˈsɛnʃəl ˈfʌŋkʃən/

A job that something must do to work right.

The heart's essential function is to pump blood.

SYNONYMS

vital rolecore dutykey purposebasic job

RELATED WORDS

necessityrequirementoperationpurpose

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A task that is absolutely needed for a system to keep going.

Clean water is an essential function of the town's health plan.

3. The most important job of a body part or machine.

The essential function of the lungs is breathing.

4. A duty that cannot be removed or skipped.

Safety checks are an essential function of the job.