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 formal discussions under this memorandum aim to establish whether next-generation battery physics can realistically meet the operational demands of large-scale, zero-emission commercial passenger flights. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026

In the supply chain, for example, those use cases were demand planning, inventory planning, and sales and operational planning. —Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Dana-co plans to build on Lunya’s existing brand equity while bringing operational expertise, product development resources, wholesale relationships, planning discipline, and direct-consumer capabilities to support future growth. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 20 June 2026

Between the trenches and the deep rear exists a critical operational space where Ukrainian drone operators are fundamentally reshaping modern warfare. —Hunter Lacroix, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026

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