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definitions

operational

[ op-uh-rey-shuh-nl ]
/ ˌɒp əˈreɪ ʃə nl /
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adjective

able to function or be used; functional: How soon will the new factory be operational?
Military.
  1. of, relating to, or involved in military operations.
  2. on active service or combat duty: All units of the command are operational.
of or relating to operations or an operation.

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RELATED WORDS

ready, practical, useful, viable, working, fit, operative, practicable, prepared, serviceable, usable, workable

Nearby words

  1. operation,
  2. operation barbarossa,
  3. operation desert storm,
  4. operation overlord,
  5. operation sealion,
  6. operational amplifier,
  7. operational calculus,
  8. operationalism,
  9. operationalization,
  10. operationalize

Origin of operational

First recorded in 1920–25; operation + -al1
Related formsop·er·a·tion·al·ly, adverbnon·op·er·a·tion·al, adjectivepre·op·er·a·tion·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for operational

British Dictionary definitions for operational

operational

/ (ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənəl) /

adjective

of or relating to an operation or operations
in working order and ready for use
military capable of, needed in, or actually involved in operations
Derived Formsoperationally, adverb
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

Word Origin and History for operational

operational

adj.

1922, "pertaining to operation," from operation + -al (1). Meaning "in a state of functionality" is from 1944.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper