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

Synonyms of operational

• operating
• operative
• functioning

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

Until recently, the concept didn’t have an operational definition or a credible funding stream. —Natalie Sum Yue Chung, Fortune, 3 May 2026

The company was originally tapped to fly six operational crew rotation flights after performing both of its uncrewed and crewed test flights successfully. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026

Spirit struggled especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, amid rising operational costs and its mounting debt. —Bernard Condon, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026

On September 15th, 1916, land warfare was forever revolutionized with the first operational appearance of the tank. —Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

operation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing operational

• pre-operational

Rhymes for operational

• aspirational
• avocational
• calculational
• combinational
• computational
• conformational
• confrontational
• congregational
• conversational
• correlational
• deformational
• derivational

Kids 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 

: ministerial