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 Starlink satellite constellation — the largest ever launched — currently has more than 6,900 operational spacecraft, according to astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell. —Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025

The problem prompted an engineering investigation in parallel with the Space Force's certification process, which required two successful flights before clearing Vulcan for operational service. —Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2025

The activist investor plans to push Phillips 66 to sell or spin off its big midstream business and make other operational changes, according to the report. —Pia Singh,hakyung Kim, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2025

Once the new flights become operational in October, Southwest will be offering a total of 119 departures to 33 markets during peak travel days. —Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 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