Is the word known a verb?

Yes, "known" can be a verb. It's the past participle of the verb "to know".

Here's an example:

* "She is known for her kindness."

In this sentence, "known" acts as the past participle and is part of the verb phrase "is known".

However, "known" can also be used as an adjective. For example:

* "He is a known criminal."

In this sentence, "known" modifies the noun "criminal" and describes a known fact.

So, the function of "known" depends on the context of the sentence.