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What is a single word for best known function? I'm trying to say, for example, that lumber has been the best known function of timber?

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As a single word: purpose.

An items best known function is its purpose.

The best purpose for harvesting timber is to make lumber.

In context, you might also use the term derivative.

The most useful derivative of timber is lumber.

And, for completeness, consider end-product.

Lumber is the typically desired end-product of processing timber.

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    Good, but that would create an ambiguity in my database. Also, it's not specific enough, maybe.
    – Wolfpack'08
    Commented Mar 20, 2014 at 4:38
  • @Wolfpack'08 I accept that criticism.
    – David M
    Commented Mar 20, 2014 at 4:39
  • @Wolfpack'08 I think I have a better fit for you in my revision.
    – David M
    Commented Mar 20, 2014 at 4:42
  • That is a really good one. It may be better. I wish I could accept two answers.
    – Wolfpack'08
    Commented Mar 20, 2014 at 4:45
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    @wolfpack'08 A byproduct is a side effect of the process. An end-product is the expected outcome of the process. And, the derivatives are all of the products of the process. A byproduct of timber processing would be something like methyl alcohol. Not lumber.
    – David M
    Commented Mar 20, 2014 at 4:57
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There's a good few options here:

Lumber has been the main use for timber

Lumber has been the primary use of timber

Lumber has been the most common use of timber

Lumber has been the primary use of timber

Timber has primarily been used as lumber

Any of these are probably more than adequate for your example.

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  • I was thinking of 'culmination' or something, you know?
    – Wolfpack'08
    Commented Mar 20, 2014 at 4:27
  • Ideally a single word, though some of these are good
    – Wolfpack'08
    Commented Mar 20, 2014 at 4:37
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In that sentence I think the term is byproduct.

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    Isn't byproduct anything that results from uses other than the main function? In the case of timber, if we agree that lumber is the main use, firewood could be a byproduct?
    – oerkelens
    Commented Mar 19, 2014 at 15:19
  • @oerkelens It is a tree, and then processed as timber. Lumber and firewood would both be byproducts.
    – RyeɃreḁd
    Commented Mar 19, 2014 at 15:20
  • But a byproduct is not the main thing created in a process, it is a secondary product. To apply that word to the main product seems strange.
    – oerkelens
    Commented Mar 19, 2014 at 15:25
  • @oerkelens - I hear you one this. It is philosophical. I am using the term loosely. I think timber is the product of a tree and lumber is a byproduct of breaking down the tree.
    – RyeɃreḁd
    Commented Mar 19, 2014 at 15:29
  • Ok, that is about whether or not the OP's actual statement is correct or not. I agree that it is debatable, but since we are not on lumberjack.stackexchange.com, I was focusing on the language-part :P
    – oerkelens
    Commented Mar 19, 2014 at 15:31

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