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

Advertisement Despite the harrowing circumstances, employees kept the 88-year-old institution operational throughout the disaster, in some cases putting decades worth of worst-case emergency training to use for the first time. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025

Direct File operational costs were an extra $2.4 million, according to the agency. —Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025

Vendors who excel in providing highly compatible solutions minimize the risk of operational silos, ensuring a cohesive digital ecosystem and avoiding time-intensive customizations. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

And Illinois put 31% of its COVID-19 money toward operational expenses, nearly three times the average share spent by the other states. —David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025

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