operation

[ op-uh-rey-shuhn ]

/ ˌɒp əˈreɪ ʃən /

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See synonyms for: operation / operations on Thesaurus.com

noun

an act or instance, process, or manner of functioning or operating.

the state of being operative (usually preceded by in or into): a rule no longer in operation.

the power to act; efficacy, influence, or force.

the exertion of force, power, or influence; agency: the operation of alcohol on the mind.

a process of a practical or mechanical nature in some form of work or production: a delicate operation in watchmaking.

a course or procedure of productive or industrial activity: building operations.

a particular process or course: mental operations.

a business transaction, especially one of a speculative nature; deal: a shady operation.

a business, especially one run on a large scale: a multinational operation.

Surgery. a procedure aimed at restoring or improving the health of a patient, as by correcting a malformation, removing diseased parts, implanting new parts, etc.

Mathematics.

a mathematical process, as addition, multiplication, or differentiation.
the action of applying a mathematical process to a quantity or quantities.

Computers. any discrete activity or action that is performed by a computer, as reading, writing, processing, sending, or receiving data: The http request operation has timed out.

Military.

a campaign, mission, maneuver, or action.
Usually operations . the conduct of a campaign, mission, etc.
operations, a headquarters, office, or place from which a military campaign, air traffic to and from an airfield, or any of various other activities, is planned, conducted, and controlled.
operations, the people who work at such a headquarters.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of operation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English operacioun, oparacion, operation, from Latin operātiōn- (stem of operātiō ), equivalent to operāt(us) + -iōn- noun suffix of action or condition; see origin at operate

OTHER WORDS FROM operation

mis·op·er·a·tion, nounpre·op·er·a·tion, nounre·op·er·a·tion, nounsub·op·er·a·tion, noun

Words nearby operation

operating income, operating room, operating system, operating table, operating theatre, operation, operational, operational amplifier, operational calculus, operationalism, operationalize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use operation in a sentence

Canix is designed for commercial operations that have a cannabis license.
Canix aims to ease cannabis cultivators’ regulatory bookkeeping|Matt Burns|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
It was only in 2018 that Spotify and Deezer launched operations in North Africa, within months of each other.
The Biggest Challenge for Apple and Spotify in North Africa: YouTube|Eromo Egbejule|September 17, 2020|Ozy
Amazon Prime, which didn’t evolve from a brick-and-mortar operation, isn’t comparable here.
Watch out, Bezos. Walmart+ could take millions of customers from Amazon Prime|Lance Lambert|September 15, 2020|Fortune
This places more traction on the drill and helps with the operation of the kit.
This essential survival tool can save your life 10 different ways|By Tim MacWelch/Outdoor Life|September 15, 2020|Popular-Science

Brands have embraced more experimental approaches, and built flexibility into their operations.
Deep Dive: How the Summer of 2020 forced brand marketing to change for the better|jim cooper|September 14, 2020|Digiday
But they say its effect on the regular daily operation of organized crime has been negligible.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder|Jason McGahan|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Their leader, Njie, still going by “Dave” during the operation, would stay a safe distance away until the State House was secure.
The Shadowy U.S. Veteran Who Tried to Overthrow a Country|Jacob Siegel|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
American lawmakers were quick to praise the military operation.
Final Chapter for Accused Africa Bomber|Jamie Dettmer|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The campaign was known to palace insiders as “Operation Mrs. PB.”
Pulled Documentary Says William Felt ‘Used’ by Charles’ Push for Camilla|Tom Sykes|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As night fell, the rescue operation slowed and sea conditions worsened.
‘We’re Going to Die’: Survivors Recount Greek Ferry Fire Horror|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This system had been in full operation in both districts prior to the general application of the voluntary system.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
The act, however, is a progressive piece of legislation and creates new conditions as the result of its own operation.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
After the Reserve Banks have been in operation long enough to be running smoothly, not a few branches will doubtless be organized.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
The intellect might be abolished so far as its participation in such an operation is concerned.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
And the Process or Method of study, if it be an Assimilating one, also compels this co-operation.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)

British Dictionary definitions for operation

operation

/ (ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən) /

noun

the act, process, or manner of operating

the state of being in effect, in action, or operative (esp in the phrases in or into operation)

a process, method, or series of acts, esp of a practical or mechanical nature

surgery any manipulation of the body or one of its organs or parts to repair damage, arrest the progress of a disease, remove foreign matter, etc

a military or naval action, such as a campaign, manoeuvre, etc
(capital and prenominal when part of a name)Operation Crossbow

maths

any procedure, such as addition, multiplication, involution, or differentiation, in which one or more numbers or quantities are operated upon according to specific rules
a function from a set onto itself

a commercial or financial transaction

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for operation

operation

[ ŏp′ə-rā′shən ]

Medicine A surgical procedure for remedying an injury, ailment, defect, or dysfunction.

Mathematics A process or action, such as addition, substitution, transposition, or differentiation, performed in a specified sequence and in accordance with specific rules.

A logical operation.

Computer Science An action resulting from a single instruction.

operation

Origin of operation

OTHER WORDS FROM operation

Words nearby operation

Words related to operation

How to use operation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for operation

Scientific definitions for operation