operation
noun
op·er·a·tion
ˌä-pə-ˈrā-shən 
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
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 program entry 1 sense 6a)
9
: a usually small business or establishment
ran a struggling operation
Examples of operation in a Sentence
The family runs a small farming operation.
The company is a billion-dollar operation.
Recent Examples on the Web
The operation has sparked growing scrutiny over federal tactics.
—
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Before the operation, Austin had to outline the risks of open-heart surgery to Bishop.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The criminal operations have gone largely unchallenged in Cambodia due to the complete dismantling in recent years of the country’s civil society and independent media.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Sam's Throne Campground and surrounding public areas will remain closed to ensure public safety while the search and monitoring operations continue, according to the release.
—Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operation
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Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Before the operation, Austin had to outline the risks of open-heart surgery to Bishop.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The criminal operations have gone largely unchallenged in Cambodia due to the complete dismantling in recent years of the country’s civil society and independent media.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Sam's Throne Campground and surrounding public areas will remain closed to ensure public safety while the search and monitoring operations continue, according to the release.
—Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operation
Cite this Entry
“Operation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
operation
noun
op·er·a·tion
ˌäp-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the act, process, method, or result of operating
does the whole operation without stopping
the operation of a drug
2
: the quality or state of being able to work or function
put a factory into operation
3
: a procedure performed on a living body usually with medical instruments especially to restore health or repair damage or defect
4
: a mathematical or logical process (as addition or multiplication) for getting one mathematical expression from others according to a rule
5
: the process of putting military or naval forces into action
6
: a single step in a computer program
7
: a usually small business or establishment
Medical Definition
operation
noun
op·er·a·tion
ˌäp-ə-ˈrā-shən
: 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
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