operation

noun

op·​er·​a·​tion ˌä-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: performance of a practical work or of something involving the practical application of principles or processes

Practice until you can go through the whole operation without hesitation or thinking.

2

a

: an exertion of power or influence

the operation of a drug

b

: the quality or state of being functional or operative

The plant is now in operation.

c

: a method or manner of functioning

a machine of very simple operation

3

: efficacy, potency

—archaic except in legal usage

4

: a procedure performed on a living body usually with instruments especially for the repair of damage or defect or the restoration of health

needed an operation to remove his appendix

5

: any of various mathematical or logical processes (such as addition) of deriving one entity from others according to a rule

Multiplication is one mathematical operation.

6

a

: a usually military action, mission, or maneuver including its planning and execution

military operations for a large-scale invasion

b

operations plural : the office on the flight line of an airfield where pilots file clearance for flights and where flying from the field is controlled

c

operations plural : the agency of an organization charged with carrying on the principal planning and operating functions of a headquarters and its subordinate units

7

: a business transaction especially when speculative

continued his operations in cotton futures

8

: a single step performed by a computer in the execution of a program (see program entry 1 sense 6a)

9

: a usually small business or establishment

ran a struggling operation

Synonyms of operation

• mission
• job
• assignment
• duty

Examples of operation in a Sentence

The family runs a small farming operation.

The company is a billion-dollar operation.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Wall Street Journal, Claude was used in the classified operation. —Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

An Oakland Park business says its future is uncertain after a car crashed into the building early in the morning, causing significant damage that may force operations to shut down. —Abby Dodge, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026

Licensing fees help fund shelter operations and establish identification within the city’s system. —Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026

The legislation also comes as Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell and several state lawmakers have expressed their intent to prosecute ICE agents carrying out operations in Massachusetts. —Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English operacion "work, action, procedure performed on a body, functioning," borrowed from Medieval Latin operātiōn-, operātiō, going back to Latin, "application of effort, functioning (of natural forces)," from operārī "to busy oneself, be at work" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at operate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing operation

• sex change operation

Rhymes for operation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

operation

noun

op·​er·​a·​tion ˌäp-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act, process, method, or result of operating

does the whole operation without stopping

the operation of a drug

2

: the quality or state of being able to work or function

put a factory into operation

3

: a procedure performed on a living body usually with medical instruments especially to restore health or repair damage or defect

4

: a mathematical or logical process (as addition or multiplication) for getting one mathematical expression from others according to a rule

5

: the process of putting military or naval forces into action

6

: a single step in a computer program

7

: a usually small business or establishment

Medical Definition

operation

noun

op·​er·​a·​tion ˌäp-ə-ˈrā-shən 

: a procedure performed on a living body usually with instruments for the repair of damage or the restoration of health and especially one that involves incision, excision, or suturing