(computer science) data processing in which the result is completely specified by a rule (especially the processing that results from a single instruction)

“it can perform millions of operations per second”

7 more meanings

05noun

activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign)

“it was a joint operation of the navy and air force”

06noun

a medical procedure involving an incision with instruments; performed to repair damage or arrest disease in a living body

“they will schedule the operation as soon as an operating room is available”

“he died while undergoing surgery”

07noun

a process or series of acts especially of a practical or mechanical nature involved in a particular form of work

“the operations in building a house”

“certain machine tool operations”

08noun

process or manner of functioning or operating

“the power of its engine determines its operation”

“the plane's operation in high winds”

09noun

(psychology) the performance of some composite cognitive activity; an operation that affects mental contents

“the process of thinking”

“the cognitive operation of remembering”

10noun

(mathematics) calculation by mathematical methods

“the problems at the end of the chapter demonstrated the mathematical processes involved in the derivation”

“they were learning the basic operations of arithmetic”

11noun

the activity of operating something (a machine or business etc.)

“her smooth operation of the vehicle gave us a surprisingly comfortable ride”

Meanings and examples from Open English WordNet 2025. About our sources ↗

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Expressions with “operation”

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Explore multiword dictionary entries containing this word. Each has its own meanings and related words.

in operation eye operation operation code black operation logic operation overt operation sting operation unary operation