operational

adjective

op·​er·​a·​tion·​al ˌä-pə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to operation or to an operation

the operational gap between planning and production

2

: of, relating to, or based on operations

3

a

: of, engaged in, or connected with execution of military or naval operations in campaign or battle

b

: ready for or in condition to undertake a destined function

operationally adverb

Synonyms

• active
• alive
• functional
• functioning
• going
• live
• living
• on
• operating
• operative
• running
• working

Examples of operational in a Sentence

The new airport should be fully operational by next year.

The computer network is now operational.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tokyo Metro has been actively involved in projects in London, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila, focusing on human resource development and operational support. —Ankit Mishra, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

Thousands of calls to the hotline are being abandoned each month as the state faces a surge in demand but lacks the necessary resources to maintain a fully operational crisis intervention system. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025

He was brought to a waiting ambulance from Grand Teton National Park, the operational unit reported. —Marilyn Heck, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2025

In October, the company delivered better-than-expected third-quarter earnings and raised its full-year output guidance to reflect the impact of operational efficiencies. —Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

operation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing operational

• pre-operational

Kids Definition

operational

adjective

op·​er·​a·​tion·​al ˌäp-ə-ˈrā-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

1

: of or relating to operation or an operation

2

: ready for operation

Legal Definition

operational

adjective

op·​er·​a·​tion·​al ˌä-pə-ˈrā-shə-nəl 

: ministerial