WordGarden.iooperational
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌɒpərˈeɪʃənəl/
US
- /ˌɑpərˈeɪʃənəl/
Meanings
Adjective
working and ready to be used
relating to the practical running of a business, service, or organization
relating to military missions, deployment, or readiness for action
More meaningsFewer meanings
defined in terms of concrete procedures or measurable actions
Beyond the definition
Something that's "operational" is ready and able to be used - it's working as intended. Think of a hospital emergency room; it needs to be operational 24/7 to handle any crisis. It can also describe something connected to the running of a business or organization. A company might have an operational budget, meaning money set aside for day-to-day expenses. If an undercover agent is "going operational," they are beginning their mission.
The word hints at being "in operation," actively doing its job. You would not say your broken toaster is operational - it needs fixing first. It often appears in technical or professional contexts, describing systems, plans, or procedures that are ready to go.
"Operational" describes something that is functioning effectively and ready for use. It's more than just existing; it implies active functionality. Imagine a space shuttle preparing for launch: all its systems must be fully operational before liftoff. This means everything from the engines to the life support systems is working as it should.
The term frequently appears in professional settings, particularly within businesses and organizations. An "operational plan" outlines how a company will achieve its goals, detailing the steps and resources needed for day-to-day activities. An operational budget is the money allocated to cover those daily expenses: salaries, supplies, maintenance, and so on.
Beyond business, "operational" can also describe military or intelligence contexts. A unit may be described as operational when it is active and ready for a mission. Similarly, an undercover agent going "operational" means they are beginning their assignment.
It's also used to describe the state of things being in effect. For example, a new law is considered operational once it goes into effect and can be enforced.
So whether you're talking about machines, plans, budgets, or missions, if something is "operational," it's ready, working, and actively contributing to a larger purpose. It's the difference between having a plan on paper and actually doing things.
Examples
- 1
Opening date
The new train station should be operational by September.
- 2
Digital systems
After the update, the booking system was fully operational again.
- 3
Backup systems
The backup servers kept the website operational during the outage.
- 4
Business costs
The company is trying to reduce operational costs this year.
- Phraseoperational costs
the costs of running a business or service day to day
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Practical problems
The idea sounds simple, but there are still some operational problems to solve.
- Phraseoperational problems
practical problems with how something is run
- 6
Management experience
She has strong operational experience, so she knows how to turn a plan into daily work.
- Phraseoperational experience
experience managing or running real activities, not just planning them
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- fully operational
- become operational
- remain operational
- operational system
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- operationaladjective