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
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 program entry 1 sense 6a)
9
: a usually small business or establishment
ran a struggling operation
Synonyms
- assignment
- brief
- business
- charge
- detail
- job
- mission
- post
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The family runs a small farming operation. The company is a billion-dollar operation.
Recent Examples on the Web The day of the August raid, diplomatic missions from 17 mostly European countries, including Britain and France, as well as the United Nations, condemned the Israeli operation and gathered at Al Haq’s office in a show of solidarity. 
Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 The operation took longer than expected and Carrell was removed about 6 p.m. Thursday. Caroline Silva, ajc, 16 Sep. 2022 Complicating the operation further are the heads of state and government leaders — including President Biden — who will begin descending on London as early as Friday, all with their own delegation and security requirements. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 As of earlier this month, Texas had paid over $12 million to finance the migrant bussing operation, according to the state's division of emergency management. Camilo Montoya-galvez, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2022 But some questioned whether the military operation was being executed effectively. Evan Gershkovich, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 The two federal lawsuits filed last week say the pollutants released by the capsize of the Golden Ray and the harm caused by the subsequent salvage operation have damaged the area’s sensitive marine ecosystem – and the plaintiffs’ livelihoods. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 14 Sep. 2022 The Department of Justice is also seeking $2.3 million in property assets allegedly connected with the operation. Quinn Owen, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2022 Authorities dismantled the operation through Joint Task Force Alpha, which was formed last year in an effort to combat human trafficking. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2022 See More
Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 The operation took longer than expected and Carrell was removed about 6 p.m. Thursday. Caroline Silva, ajc, 16 Sep. 2022 Complicating the operation further are the heads of state and government leaders — including President Biden — who will begin descending on London as early as Friday, all with their own delegation and security requirements. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 As of earlier this month, Texas had paid over $12 million to finance the migrant bussing operation, according to the state's division of emergency management. Camilo Montoya-galvez, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2022 But some questioned whether the military operation was being executed effectively. Evan Gershkovich, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 The two federal lawsuits filed last week say the pollutants released by the capsize of the Golden Ray and the harm caused by the subsequent salvage operation have damaged the area’s sensitive marine ecosystem – and the plaintiffs’ livelihoods. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 14 Sep. 2022 The Department of Justice is also seeking $2.3 million in property assets allegedly connected with the operation. Quinn Owen, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2022 Authorities dismantled the operation through Joint Task Force Alpha, which was formed last year in an effort to combat human trafficking. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
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
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing operation
Kids Definition
operation
noun
op·er·a·tion ˌä-pə-ˈrā-shən
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 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
operations
noun
1
as in missions
a specific task with which a person or group is charged a secret operation which, if it is discovered, the government will deny any knowledge of Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- missions
- jobs
- duties
- assignments
- responsibilities
- requirements
- businesses
- offices
- details
- obligations
- works
- posts
- charges
- briefs
- needs
- commitments
- chores
- burdens
- errands
- appointments
- constraints
- labors
- commissions
- designations
- promises
- restraints
- nominations
- pledges
- compulsions
2
as in processes
a usually fixed or ordered series of actions or events leading to a result a specific mathematical operation is required in order to get the correct answer Synonyms & Similar Words
- processes
- procedures
- methods
- techniques
- proceedings
- activities
- courses
- systems
- programs
- projects
- schemes
- strategies
- manners
- approaches
- plans
- arrangements
- modes
- routines
- drills
- enterprises
- ways
- works
- undertakings
- movements
- performances
- formulas
- styles
- designs
- forms
- fashions
- layouts
- recipes
- plots
- accomplishments
- blueprints
- achievements
- formulae
- attainments
- game plans
- ground plans
3
as in managements
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something given the constant threat of robbery, the operation of a convenience store can be quite stressful Synonyms & Similar Words
- managements
- controls
- administrations
- handlings
- supervisions
- stewardships
- directions
- oversights
- regulations
- governances
- governments
- guidance
- presidencies
- charges
- logistics
- leaderships
- conducts
- superintendencies
- care
- superintendences
- intendances
- agencies
- manipulations
- custodies
- generalships
- protections
- machinations
- wards
- rulerships
- trusts
- guardianships
- laps
- tutelages
- coadministrations
- codirections
- co-directions
- egises
- aegises
4
as in applications
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose a considerable amount of training is required for the operation of these new high-tech weapons systems Synonyms & Similar Words
- applications
- exercises
- uses
- usages
- employments
- plays
- exertions
- reuses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disuses
- nonuses