OPERATIONAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does operational mean? 

• OPERATIONAL (adjective)
  The adjective OPERATIONAL has 4 senses:

1. pertaining to a process or series of actions for achieving a result

2. fit or ready for use or service

3. (military) of or intended for or involved in military operations

4. being in effect or operation

  Familiarity information: OPERATIONAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OPERATIONAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Pertaining to a process or series of actions for achieving a result

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

they assumed their operational positions

Pertainym:

operation (a process or series of acts especially of a practical or mechanical nature involved in a particular form of work)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Fit or ready for use or service

Synonyms:

functional; operable; operational; usable; useable

Context example:

the dishwasher is now in working order

Similar:

serviceable (ready for service or able to give long service)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(military) of or intended for or involved in military operations

Similar:

active; combat-ready; fighting (engaged in or ready for military or naval operations)

effective (ready for service)

Domain category:

armed forces; armed services; military; military machine; war machine (the military forces of a nation)

Antonym:

nonoperational ((military) not involved in military operations)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Being in effect or operation

Synonyms:

in operation; operating; operational

Context example:

the company had several operating divisions

Similar:

operative (being in force or having or exerting force)

 Context examples 

Their recommendations provide a framework for Institute strategic planning and for the development of operational plans by NCI divisions.

(Director's Working Group, NCI Thesaurus)

Failure of transplanted tissue to become functional or operational, often as a result of destruction by the host's immune system.

(Graft Rejection, NCI Thesaurus)

NHEJ is operational throughout the cell cycle but may be more important during G1, prior to DNA replication, or in cells that are no longer cycling.

(Nonhomologous DNA End Joining, NCI Thesaurus)

The act of specifying the operational and physical requirements, respectively, for the software and hardware of an in vitro diagnostic device.

(Design and Specification of Software Platform or Architecture for in Vitro Diagnostics Device, NCI Thesaurus)

An indication that the subject's death or sacrifice was due to a mishap or technical/operational error.

(Accidental Death, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

Within a year, after undergoing a checkout and validation of its six instruments, the new satellite will become operational.

(GOES-R heads to orbit, will improve weather forecasting, NOAA)

The JunoCam camera aboard NASA's Juno mission is operational and sending down data after the spacecraft's July 4 arrival at Jupiter.

(Juno Spacecraft Sends First In-orbit View, NASA)

Next steps for the new machine learning model include testing it using storm observations and radar-estimated hail, with the goal of transitioning the model into operational use.

(Facial recognition technique could improve hail forecasts, National Science Foundation)

The first operational dive of Okeanos Explorer’s 2016 season, on February 27, explored depths of over 4,000 meters northeast of Necker Island (Mokumanamana) in the Hawaiian Archipelago.

(Deep Discoverer Discovers a Very Deep, Ghostlike Octopod, NOAA)