operation Hear it!

Jump To: synonymsSynonyms · examplesUsage Examples · quotesQuotes · linkLink/Cite
Also found in: medicalAH Medical Dictionary
operation definition

op·era·tion (äp′ə rā′s̸hən)

noun

  1. the act, process, or method of operating
  2. the condition of being in action or at work
  3. a process or action that is part of a series in some work
    1. any movement or series of movements made in carrying out strategic military plans
    2. a center where such activities are monitored or supervised, as at an air base
    3. any specific plan, project, venture, etc. Operation Cleanup
  5. any surgical procedure performed, usually with the aid of instruments, to remedy a physical ailment or defect
  6. Math. any process, as addition, division, etc., involving a change or transformation in a quantity

Etymology: ME operacion < OFr < L operatio

operation Idioms

in operation

  1. in the act or process of making, working, etc.
  2. having an influence or effect; in force

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical operation definition - medical

operation Synonyms

operation

n.

  1. The act of causing to function

    execution, guidance, superintendence, carrying out, ordering, order, maintenance, handling, manipulating, manipulation, supervision, control, conduct, agency, compelling, promoting, enforcing, enforcement, advancement, controlling, administering, regulating, running, supervising, directing, transacting, transaction, conducting; see also administration 1, regulation 1.

  2. An action

    performance, act, employment, labor, service, carrying on, transaction, deed, doing, proceeding, handiwork, workmanship, exploitation, enterprise, movement, progression, progress, development, engagement, transference, conveyance, undertaking; see also action 1, work 2.

  3. A method

    process, formula, procedure; see method 2, plan 2.

  4. Surgical treatment

    surgery, biopsy, emergency operation, acupuncture, exploratory operation, clinical trial, section, excision, removal, vivisection, dissection, the knife*; see also medicine 3, surgery, transplant.

    Common surgical operations include: appendectomy, cystectomy, hysterectomy, mastectomy, tonsillectomy, gastrectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, colostomy, lobotomy, caesarian section, plastic surgery, facelift*, dermoplasty, rhinoplasty, amputation, coronary bypass, thyroidectomy, prostatectomy, laparotomy, keratotomy, keratoplasty, tracheotomy, spinal fusion, thoracotomy.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

operation Usage Examples

Preposition: under

  • anesthetic: He was taken to hospital where be underwent an operation under full anesthetic.

Converse of object

  • perform: It performs cataract operations at 10 % below the price the NHS sets.

Adjective modifier

  • military: The primary tool for mission accomplishment in conventional military operations is the use of force directed against an adversary.

Modifies a noun

  • center: Air Support Operations Center The focal point for coordinating air support at corps is the air support operations center ( ASOC ).

Noun used with modifier

  • rescue: I spent the majority of the rescue operation below.
operation usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

operation quotes

To Hunt an'assault'on the mountain merely meant a concerted, military-style operation; whereas to Shipton 'assault'sounded more like a criminal offence.

-Cranfield, Ingrid

His eyesight has always been weak, a sort of film over the eyes. A doctor advised him not to read, but he said, 'Then I should be ignorant', and he refused an operation because there was a thousandth chance he might go blind and so remain ignorant.

-Gregory, Lady Isabella Augusta ne¤  e Persse

   The delicate operation of separating an American from the four-wheeled part of him has to be performed with tact.

-Johnson, Philip Cortelyou

operation quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"operation." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/operation>

APA Style

operation. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/operation

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment