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

The challenge is that hybrid work models, regardless of how many in-office or remote days, introduce operational complexity while delivering the work-life balance employees value. —Keith Yandell, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025

People's Liberation Army Navy CNS Liaoning: Qingdao, Shandong The Liaoning, China's first operational aircraft carrier, was spotted at its home port in Qingdao in China's Shandong province on Thursday, according to satellite imagery. —Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025

Europe's Ariane 6 rocket lifted off Thursday from French Guiana and deployed a high-resolution reconnaissance satellite into orbit for the French military, notching a success on its first operational flight. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025

During operational missions, SpaceX plans to bring both Super Heavy and Ship back to Starbase for launch-tower catches. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

operation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing operational

• pre-operational

Rhymes for operational

• aspirational
• avocational
• calculational
• combinational
• computational
• conformational
• confrontational
• congregational
• conversational
• correlational
• deformational
• derivational

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