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
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
Lowy notes that perception of a Chinese threat by competitor nations might result in stringent new regulations mandating such armoring, which would drive up manufacturing and operational costs, indirectly benefitting China.
—
Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The capsule previously flew Crew-1, SpaceX's first operational mission to the International Space Station for NASA, and the Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn flights.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2025
But the operational scope of its forces is limited by its U.S.-authored constitution – adopted after its defeat in World War Two – which renounces the right to start war.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Starmer is prepared to host a meeting of European military chiefs this week to dive deeper into the operational details of the plan, up to and including which European country will contribute forces, who will command the mission and where air support will be based.
—Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operational
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Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The capsule previously flew Crew-1, SpaceX's first operational mission to the International Space Station for NASA, and the Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn flights.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2025
But the operational scope of its forces is limited by its U.S.-authored constitution – adopted after its defeat in World War Two – which renounces the right to start war.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Starmer is prepared to host a meeting of European military chiefs this week to dive deeper into the operational details of the plan, up to and including which European country will contribute forces, who will command the mission and where air support will be based.
—Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operational
Cite this Entry
“Operational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operational. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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