Definition
Cockpit screens that present multiple kinds of flight information on a single display, with the pilot able to select which information is shown. An MFD typically combines moving maps, navigation data, traffic, terrain, weather, engine indications, and system status, replacing several separate analog instruments with one configurable screen.
Plain English
A cockpit screen that can show different kinds of information depending on what the pilot wants to see at that moment.
Context Anchor
Seen in glass-cockpit aircraft during preflight setup, taxi, cruise, navigation, and system monitoring.
Derivation
From 'multi-function' (many uses) and 'display' (a screen showing information). The name describes exactly what it does — one screen, many possible uses.
Why Pilots Care
They lower workload and improve awareness by replacing multiple separate instruments with integrated, pilot-selectable views.
Intuition Check
Do not think of an MFD as an autopilot or a device that flies the airplane by itself. An MFD mainly displays and organizes information so the pilot can make better decisions.
Example Sentence 1
Before takeoff, the pilot configured the MFD to display the moving map with traffic overlay.
Example Sentence 2
Before the approach the crew configured the MFDs to show traffic and the approach plate at the same time.