operational

[ op-uh-rey-shuh-nl ]

adjective

1. able to function or be used; functional:

   How soon will the new factory be operational?

2. Military.
   1. of, relating to, or involved in military operations.
   2. on active service or combat duty:

      All units of the command are operational.

3. of or relating to operations or an operation.

operational

/ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to an operation or operations
2. in working order and ready for use
3. military capable of, needed in, or actually involved in operations

Derived Forms

• ˌoperˈationally, adverb

Other Words From

• oper·ation·al·ly adverb
• nonop·er·ation·al adjective
• preop·er·ation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of operational¹

First recorded in 1920–25; operation + -al ¹

Example Sentences

SpaceX recently successfully completed its first crewed demonstration mission of its Dragon spacecraft, and could launch its first operational astronaut mission to the International Space Station as early as October.

From TechCrunch

Most operational weather forecasts are good to about 10 to 14 days but no further.

From Science News

We are currently monitoring to ensure that these services are operational.

From Fortune

What’s more, all of these database types can be run as managed services in the cloud, eliminating the need for operational overhead and expensive software licensing.

From MIT Technology Review

As of today, sports betting is fully legal and operational in several states, with others having already passed legislation.

From Freakonomics

“The U.S. Navy will attain IOC [initial operational capability] in 2018 with 3F software,” DellaVedova wrote.

From The Daily Beast

There was virtually no government oversight of safety and operational standards.

From The Daily Beast

Procurement budgets for weapon systems and operational-cost accounts are separated by a near-unbreachable wall.

From The Daily Beast

Paul accomplishes this largely by cutting overseas operational costs and war spending from $159 billion to nothing by 2016.

From The Daily Beast

Kowalski may have a point from an operational-security perspective.

From The Daily Beast

As yet, the project had had no specific target; nor had it been fully operational as of midnight yesterday.

From Project Gutenberg

However, he has managed to leave Project Hot Rod operational while unattended.

From Project Gutenberg

So long as Hot Rod still existed, was still within their reach, the plan was operational.

From Project Gutenberg

Fourth, Rapid Dominance aims to achieve new levels of operational competence that can virtually institutionalize "brilliance."

From Project Gutenberg

It is also unlikely that any operational construct, no matter how brilliantly conceived, could overcome such a disconnect.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• practical
• ready
• useful
• viable
• working