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
Despite the moves, questions still remain about key operational tools, such as the future of the Strategic Response Group – a specialized unit within the NYPD used for crowd control and major events — and the use of the gang database, among others.
—
Mark Morales, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
This reliance can limit export approvals and impose operational constraints during maintenance and overhaul cycles.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
Filmed aboard an operational replica of an actual 18th-century ship, the Götheborg of Sweden, the sequence sees Lee and her congregation worshipping through movement daily on the ship’s deck, rain or shine.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 2025
Senate Bill 1, while intended to provide some tax relief to homeowners, will also mean that every school district across the state will lose operational funding, with some losing millions, over the next three years.
—Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operational
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Mark Morales, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
This reliance can limit export approvals and impose operational constraints during maintenance and overhaul cycles.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
Filmed aboard an operational replica of an actual 18th-century ship, the Götheborg of Sweden, the sequence sees Lee and her congregation worshipping through movement daily on the ship’s deck, rain or shine.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 2025
Senate Bill 1, while intended to provide some tax relief to homeowners, will also mean that every school district across the state will lose operational funding, with some losing millions, over the next three years.
—Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operational
Cite this Entry
“Operational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operational. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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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