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
The union representing correctional officers quickly opposed the recommendation in a Monday afternoon statement, arguing that permanent closures present fiscal and operational risks to California.
—
William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Though leadership frequently reverts to spreadsheets and manual processes during critical situations, this ultimately reveals the lack of true operational visibility.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
During its operational years, airborne radioactive releases traveled up through the stack.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
While the specific destinations of the carriers have not been publicly disclosed for operational security reasons, their presence alone signals escalatory leverage and deterrence.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for operational
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William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Though leadership frequently reverts to spreadsheets and manual processes during critical situations, this ultimately reveals the lack of true operational visibility.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
During its operational years, airborne radioactive releases traveled up through the stack.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
While the specific destinations of the carriers have not been publicly disclosed for operational security reasons, their presence alone signals escalatory leverage and deterrence.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for operational
Cite this Entry
“Operational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operational. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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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