operational
Americanadjective
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able to function or be used; functional.
How soon will the new factory be operational?
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Military.
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of, relating to, or involved in military operations.
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on active service or combat duty.
All units of the command are operational.
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of or relating to operations or an operation.
adjective
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of or relating to an operation or operations
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in working order and ready for use
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military capable of, needed in, or actually involved in operations
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of operational
Explanation
If something is operational, it’s up and running and ready to go. If you’ve been waiting for a new skating rink to open, you’ll jump for joy when it’s finally operational. When something is operational, it's ready to use or is already in use. Don’t get on an elevator that’s not fully operational unless you like getting stuck. Any gadget being used is operational. If someone calls you and you pick up and talk, then both phones are operational. If the compost bin you’ve been working on is operational, go ahead and throw in the banana peels. Operational things are functional. If your skates are operational, lace up and go!
Vocabulary lists containing operational
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 13
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"CLEP Financial Accounting," Vocabulary from Chapter 14
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The FBI director’s tribute to Graham included one operational line that had nothing to do with mourning: He wrote that the bureau was “assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available.”
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026
Blume’s comments mark the first time Volkswagen has discussed the potential human and operational impact of a broad restructuring plan that executives shared with the company’s supervisory board on Thursday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
The RLV C5 remains a paper concept, and transforming it into an operational launch vehicle would require years of additional development.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026
"While historic indoor markets present unique operational challenges, our maintenance teams are actively addressing immediate issues, including external weeding, deep cleaning, and structural upkeep," it continued.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
A constant and steady supply of broken planes coaxed back to repair sites, new ones delivered from factory to operational base—all flown by civilian pilots, no instruments, no radio, no guns.
From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
