/ Dictionary / Index L latent function: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: la'tent func'tion Pronunciation: [key] — Sociol. Sociol. any function of an institution or other social phenomenon that is unintentional and often unrecognized. Cf. manifest function. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. latent content latent heat Related Content Daily Word Quiz: heifer Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language