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 of operational

• 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

The outlet also reported that Air Canada wasn’t anticipating any operational impacts. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

Offering operational flexibility The FMR is developed as a modular unit intended for factory manufacturing and on-site assembly. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Nov. 2025

The operational part that’s reachable, especially over a longer period, is the goal of selling 20 million vehicles. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2025

The recent images from OSIRIS-APEX mark an early milestone, confirming that its cameras and instruments are fully operational after years in deep space, and that the spacecraft is on course for its interplanetary journey. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 28 Nov. 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