Noun

Singular operation

Plural operations

operation (plural operations)

1. the method by which a device performs its function.

   It is dangerous to look at the beam of a laser while it is in operation.

2. the method or practice by which actions are done.

   We run our operation from a storefront.

3. (medicine) a surgical procedure.

   She had an operation to remove her appendix.

4. (mathematics) a procedure for generating a value from one or more other values (the operands; the value for any particular operands is unique)
5. (military) a military campaign (w:Operation Desert Storm)

Synonyms

• (mathematics): function
• (mathematics): transformation

Related terms

• opera
• operable
• operand
• operant
• operate
• operational
• operative
• operator
• opus

Operation may refer to:

• Scientific operation
• Surgery, or operation
• An operation or operator in mathematics (see unary operation, binary operation, arity)
• In language, an operation is a word which represents a function (or instruction), rather than a term or name
• In computer science, an operation is called an instruction
• Military operation, a military action (usually in a military campaign) using deployed forces
• Covert operation, a clandestine military or political action
• Sting operation, an operation designed to catch a person committing a crime, by means of deception
• Business operations, manufacturing operations, operations management
• Operations support system used in the telecommunications industry
• Operation of law, a legal term that indicates that a right or liability has been created for a party
• Anomalous operation, in parapsychology, a term describing a broad category of purported paranormal effects
• Musical operations such as transposition, inversion, multiplication, permutation, counterpoint
• Operation (game), a battery-operated game of physical skill