operational

adjective

op·​er·​a·​tion·​al ˌä-pə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce operational (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Through the integration with Tactical Assault Kit software, the team remotely controlled multiple unmanned ground and surface units across a large, 50-square-mile operational area. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025 But food hubs also have high startup and operational costs, challenges with maintaining a consistent supply and demand and recruiting skilled leadership and staff, and navigating organizational, regulatory and food safety requirements, Perez said. Cristina Larue, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025 Over the last 18 months, costs have risen around 20%, largely due to inflation and labor costs, but tariffs implemented earlier this year have also added to higher operational expenses. Amalia Roy, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025 When Haven-1 is fully operational, a crew of four private astronauts will dock with the station using a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for operational

Word History

Etymology

operation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of operational was in 1885

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Operational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operational. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

operational

adjective
op·​er·​a·​tion·​al ˌäp-ə-ˈrā-shnəl How to pronounce operational (audio)
-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 How to pronounce operational (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on operational

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