plural operations
1
: a process in which a doctor cuts into someone's body in order to repair or remove a damaged or diseased part
She is recovering from a major heart operation. [=she is recovering from major heart surgery]
a minor/routine operation
organ transplant operations
2
a
: a usually small business or organization
The family runs a small farming operation.
The company is a billion-dollar operation.
b
: an activity of a business or organization
—usually plural
a company's banking operations
An independent company has been hired to review the hospital's operations.
3
: the state of functioning or being used
—used with in or into
The system is now in operation.
The mill has been in operation for over 100 years.
Safety goggles must be worn while the machine is in operation. [=in use]
The dam will go into operation next month.
4
: the way something functions or is used
The camera's design allows for easy operation.
the quiet operation of the printer
5
: a set of planned actions for a particular purpose
The city has launched an operation to clean up the neighborhood.
Ten arrests were made in an undercover operation.
a rescue operation
The military operation gave them control of the city.
peacekeeping operations
6
: a single action performed by a computer
The computer can perform millions of operations per second.
7
: the act of using and controlling something
He was arrested for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
8
mathematics
: a mathematical process (such as addition or multiplication) that is used for getting one number or set of numbers from others according to a rule
Cite this Entry
“Operation.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/operation. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
