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

Key to this work reimagining the district is taking a hard look at our staffing structure and operational costs. —Kyla Johnson-Trammell, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024

Israel killed or imprisoned Palestinian commanders, along with thousands of civilians, leaving Palestinian operational units leaderless and uncoordinated. —Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024

The company continues to seek additional financing to support its development and operational activities. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024

Though a few stores have been open for months, two of the three floors are now fully operational with 20-plus shops and more than 50,000 square feet of retail. —Talia Lavin, Curbed, 7 Nov. 2024

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