operation

noun op·er·a·tion \ ˌä-pə-ˈrā-shən \

Updated on: 6 Dec 2017

Definition of operation

1 : performance of a practical work or of something involving the practical application of principles or processes

Practice until you can go through the whole operation without hesitation or thinking.

2 a : an exertion of power or influence

the operation of a drug

b : the quality or state of being functional or operative

The plant is now in operation.

c : a method or manner of functioning

a machine of very simple operation

3 : efficacy, potency —archaic except in legal usage

4 : a procedure performed on a living body usually with instruments especially for the repair of damage or defect or the restoration of health

needed an operation to remove his appendix

5 : any of various mathematical or logical processes (such as addition) of deriving one entity from others according to a rule

Multiplication is one mathematical operation.

6 a : a usually military action, mission, or maneuver including its planning and execution

military operations for a large-scale invasion

b operations plural : the office on the flight line of an airfield where pilots file clearance for flights and where flying from the field is controlled

c operations plural : the agency of an organization charged with carrying on the principal planning and operating functions of a headquarters and its subordinate units

7 : a business transaction especially when speculative

continued his operations in cotton futures

8 : a single step performed by a computer in the execution of a program (see ¹program 6a)

9 : a usually small business or establishment

ran a struggling operation

See operation defined for English-language learners

See operation defined for kids

Examples of operation in a Sentence

The family runs a small farming operation.
The company is a billion-dollar operation.

Recent Examples of operation from the Web

When Russia launched its intervention in Syria in September 2015, the government spoke of a short air operation.

— The Economist, "How “Wagner” came to Syria," 2 Nov. 2017
And then there’s Will (Sheldon Brown), the man sent from Chicago by Anderson himself to beef up the Boston operations.

— chris jones, chicagotribune.com, "In '1980 (Or Why I'm Voting for John Anderson),' cold-calling for a loser," 31 Oct. 2017
My coconut oil was completely liquefied, the feisty cats that lived in my apartment were too uncomfortable to fight, and the distinct lack of A.C. in said apartment resulted in a strict ban on oven operation.

— aliza abarbanel, Bon Appetit, "This Soba Noodle Salad Has Seen Me at My Worst—and Made Me Better," 31 Oct. 2017
While these restaurants all claim to be open, specific hours of operation vary by region.

— amanda garrity, Good Housekeeping, "These Restaurants Will Be Open This Thanksgiving," 31 Oct. 2017
Gates became an important player on the campaign, striking up a friendship with Reince Preibus and managing many of the anodyne responsibilites of a political operation.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Who is Rick Gates, the Other Person Indicted on Monday?," 30 Oct. 2017
This was a ticklish operation involving raising hundreds of millions of dollars, persuading the British to allow food ships to penetrate their blockade of the North Sea and the Germans not to commandeer the rations.

— edward kosner, WSJ, "Review: A Wonder Boy on the Wrong Side of History," 27 Oct. 2017
The comptroller’s findings are likely to affect how Wells Fargo does business, not just in the auto lending operation but across the bank.

— gretchen morgenson, charlotteobserver, "Regulator blasts Wells Fargo for deceptive auto insurance program | Charlotte Observer," 20 Oct. 2017
Some medical practices, like Parsley Health, a boutique operation dedicated to long-term health care, offers a free membership to Headspace, the meditation app.

— kristen dold, Vogue, "Can Self-Help Be Harmful? How a Secret Society of Women Making Headlines This Week Went Wrong," 20 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'operation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of operation

Middle English operacion "work, action, procedure performed on a body, functioning," borrowed from Medieval Latin operātiōn-, operātiō, going back to Latin, "application of effort, functioning (of natural forces)," from operārī "to busy oneself, be at work" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at operate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

operation Synonyms

Synonyms

assignment, brief, business, charge, detail, job, mission, post

Related Words

burden, chore, duty, need, obligation, office, requirement, responsibility; errand, labor, work; commitment, pledge, promise; appointment, commission, designation, nomination; compulsion, constraint, restraint

Near Antonyms

disuse, nonuse

OPERATION Defined for English Language Learners

operation

noun

Definition of operation for English Language Learners

: a process in which a doctor cuts into someone's body in order to repair or remove a damaged or diseased part
: a usually small business or organization
: an activity of a business or organization

OPERATION Defined for Kids

operation

noun op·er·a·tion \ ˌä-pə-ˈrā-shən \

Definition of operation for Students

1 : a set of actions for a particular purpose

a rescue operation

2 : a medical procedure that involves cutting into a living body in order to repair or remove a damaged or diseased part

I need an operation to remove my appendix.

3 : the process of putting military forces into action

naval operations

4 : the state of working or being able to work

The factory is now in operation.

5 : a method or manner of working

The camera is designed for easy operation.

6 : a process (as addition or multiplication) of getting one mathematical expression from others according to a rule

7 : a single step performed by a computer in carrying out a program

Medical Dictionary

operation

noun op·er·a·tion \ ˌäp-ə-ˈrā-shən \

medical Definition of operation

: a procedure performed on a living body usually with instruments for the repair of damage or the restoration of health and especially one that involves incision, excision, or suturing