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 spa, however, is already operational. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

Cossey will lead the district’s technology services team and oversee systems that support instruction, communication, data security, and operational efficiency across the district, according to the news release. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026

The demonstration was conducted using a hardware-in-the-loop simulation environment designed to replicate real operational conditions. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026

Portions of the pier were briefly closed off for the investigation, but the pier was fully operational as of Monday afternoon. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 16 Mar. 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