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

• operating
• operative
• functioning

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

Crews are maintaining safe travel routes to ensure access to the Wishon hydroelectric station, which requires twice-daily fuel deliveries to remain operational. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Portfolio companies benefit from the Blackstone connection, too, with BXSL providing expertise and operational support. —Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

The shareholder vote comes after an unprecedented government intervention authorized the acquisition but blocked any operational integration for at least three years in a bid to protect jobs. —Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025

In 2022, the Pentagon awarded contracts for the first 154 operational spacecraft, including the ones launched Wednesday. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 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