Definition of functional

The word "functional" stems from the Latin word "functio," meaning "performance" or "execution." It entered English in the 15th century, initially referring to something "having a function" or "capable of performing an action." The term gained prominence in the 19th century with the rise of functionalism in philosophy and psychology, emphasizing the importance of observable actions and their relationship to the environment. Today, "functional" is widely used across various fields, including architecture, design, and computer science, to describe something serving a specific purpose or achieving a desired outcome.