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

The Pentagon is also likely to pause military recruitment and operational planning. —Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024

While these challenges require effort and investment to overcome, addressing them effectively lays the foundation for robust hybrid inventory visibility and a promising system, ensuring better customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. —Devadas Pattathil, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

In 2023, physicians spent an average of 15.5 hours per week on paperwork and administrative or operational tasks. —Aaron Weitzman, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024

The duo were elevated to their current roles a little less than two years ago, in February 2023, not long after Iger returned to Disney and began the process of dismantling the Byzantine operational structure put in place by Iger’s successor/predecessor Bob Chapek. —Josef Adalian, Vulture, 19 Dec. 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