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
Valerii’s first task each evening was to read the operational log.
—
Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
And perhaps most important, ODNI has no real operational capacity, no equivalent to the agents who conduct missions for the FBI and CIA.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
Such capabilities are especially important for data centers, where even short disruptions can lead to major operational and financial consequences.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
The pact also calls for strengthening operational capacities of the Haiti National Police and Armed Forces of Haiti, defining cooperation protocols with the Gang Suppression Force and the reactivation of the National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reintegration.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for operational
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Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
And perhaps most important, ODNI has no real operational capacity, no equivalent to the agents who conduct missions for the FBI and CIA.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
Such capabilities are especially important for data centers, where even short disruptions can lead to major operational and financial consequences.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
The pact also calls for strengthening operational capacities of the Haiti National Police and Armed Forces of Haiti, defining cooperation protocols with the Gang Suppression Force and the reactivation of the National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reintegration.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 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 28 Apr. 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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