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
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
However, even with the best of intentions, management cannot be expected to educate board members on every economic, geopolitical, or operational issue impacting the company.
—
Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
The robot’s practical limits remain the primary uncertainty until Tesla publishes operational metrics such as quick responses to human speech, cycle times for common tasks, or independent field trials.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
The facility is expected to be fully operational by 2027.
—Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2025
He is widely seen inside the movement as the operational architect, overseeing the ground game and voter registration machine that has become central to the group’s strategy.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operational
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Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
The robot’s practical limits remain the primary uncertainty until Tesla publishes operational metrics such as quick responses to human speech, cycle times for common tasks, or independent field trials.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
The facility is expected to be fully operational by 2027.
—Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2025
He is widely seen inside the movement as the operational architect, overseeing the ground game and voter registration machine that has become central to the group’s strategy.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operational
Cite this Entry
“Operational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operational. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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