operations

word · lemma: operation

/ˌɑpɝˈeɪʃənz/
ahp-uh-RAY-shuhnz
/ˌɒpəɹˈeɪʃənz/
op-uh-RAY-shuhnz

Definition

Operations are the actions, processes, or systems needed to keep something working or to carry out a plan. The word is often used in business, medicine, and the military, with different meanings depending on context.

Usage & Nuances

In business, 'operations' often means the daily work that keeps a company running: 'operations manager', 'business operations'. In medicine, it can mean surgeries in some contexts, but 'operation' is more direct for one surgery. In military news, 'operations' often refers to organized missions. Don't confuse it with only mathematical 'operations' unless the context is about math.

Example Sentences

The hotel manager checks the daily operations every morning.

basic

Snow stopped airport operations for two hours.

basic

She moved from sales to operations because she likes solving practical problems.

natural

After the storm, it took the company days to get operations back to normal.

natural

The army began operations near the border last night.

basic

We're growing fast, but our operations are still a mess.

natural