Definition of “operation” - English Dictionary

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“operation” in English

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operationnoun

uk ​ /ˌɒp.ərˈeɪ.ʃən/ us ​ /ˌɑː.pəˈreɪ.ʃən/

operation noun (WORK)

C1 [ U ] the fact of operating or being active:

There are several reactors of the type in operation (= working) at the moment.
We expect the new system for assessing claims to come into operation (= start working) early next year.

› [ U ] the way that parts of a machine or system work together, or the process of making parts of a machine or system work together

C1 [ C ] a business organization:

Less profitable business operations will have difficulty in finding financial support.

C1 [ C ] an activity that is planned to achieve something:

a military/peacekeeping operation.
Following the earthquake, a large-scale rescue operation was launched.
[ + to infinitive ] The operation to fly in supplies will begin as soon as possible.

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operation noun (MEDICAL PROCESS)

B1 [ C ] UK informal op an occasion when a doctor cuts a body for medical reasons in order to repair, remove, or replace an unhealthy or damaged part:

a major/minor/routine operation
an abdominal/cataract/transplant operation
He has to have an operation on his shoulder.
[ + to infinitive ] We will know in a couple of days if the operation to restore her sight was successful.

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(Definition of “operation” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“operation” in American English

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operationnoun

us ​ /ˌɑp·əˈreɪ·ʃən/

operation noun (MATHEMATICS)

› mathematics [ C ] a mathematical process, such as addition, in which one set of numbers is produced from another

operation noun (MEDICAL PROCESS)

› [ C ] a medical process in which doctors cut a body open in order to repair, remove, or replace an unhealthy or damaged part:

She underwent a six-hour open-heart operation.

operation noun (WORK)

› [ C/U ] an act or process of working, doing something, being in action, or having an effect:

[ U ] Several printing presses are in operation (= working) at the moment.
[ C ] Setting a mousetrap is a delicate operation (= act of doing something).

› [ C/U ] An operation is also an activity planned to achieve something:

[ C ] a rescue operation

(Definition of “operation” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“operation” in Business English

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operationnoun

uk ​ /ˌɒpərˈeɪʃən/ us ​

› [ U ] the fact of operating or being active:

come into/begin operation We expect the new procedure to come into operation early next year.
be out of/cease operation The company was facing a court order to cease operation.
The construction work will not affect the day-to-day operation of the company.
in operation There are several reactors of this type in operation at the moment.
We hope to be in commercial operation within three months.
The firm is in its third year of operation.

› [ C ] a business organization:

Less profitable business operations will have difficulty finding financial support.
a banking/retail/manufacturing operation
We can capture carbon emissions at power plants, oil refineries, and cement-making operations.
The group's profits fell, despite a good performance from its overseas operations.
operations [ U ]

› MANAGEMENT the activities involved in a company producing goods or delivering services:

Mary handles operations and travel planning.
head/director of operations He is director of operations for a recruitment agency.
The operations department is responsible for ensuring a company operates as efficiently and economically as possible.

› [ C ] an activity which is planned to achieve something:

an operation to do sth The police have launched an operation to prevent the sale of pirated software.
A rescue operation to save the country's largest bank is underway.
a cost-cutting operation.
a military/peacekeeping operation

› [ U ] the way that parts of a machine work together, or the process of making parts of a machine or system work together:

Teamwork is essential to ensure the smooth operation of the department.
Open the machine and check the operation of the locking mechanism.

See also

holding operation
materials, repair, operation

(Definition of “operation” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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