operation
gb/ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 700
művelet, akció, műtét, működés, üzem
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to carry out [an operation]
The rescue operation saved dozens of people trapped in the building.
A mentőakció során több tucat, az épületben rekedt embert mentettek ki.
The police launched a major operation to catch the drug traffickers.
A rendőrség nagyszabású akciót indított a drogkereskedők elfogására.
The charity’s latest operation aims to provide clean water to remote villages.
Learner examples
The rescue operation helped many people.
A mentőakció sok emberen segített.
The police started an operation to find the missing child.
A rendőrség akciót indított az eltűnt gyermek megtalálására.
The company began an operation to open a new store.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'operation' with 'opportunity'. 'Operation' means an organized activity, not a chance to do something.
Meaning
Planned activity to achieve something
Collocations
military operation
|rescue operation
|covert operation
|joint operation
|police operation
Synonyms
mission (Often used for military or space contexts, slightly more formal.)
|
undertaking (Emphasizes a project or task, often large or challenging.)
Antonyms
inaction (The absence of any activity toward a goal.)
Themes
business
|military
|daily life
|work
Definition
A planned set of actions done to reach a goal.
An organized and coordinated activity or process carried out to achieve a specific purpose.
NOUN
A2
2
műtét
B1
Usage pattern:
to have [an operation]
She had an operation on her knee last year.
Tavaly térdműtéte volt.
The patient needs an urgent heart operation.
A betegnek sürgős szívműtétre van szüksége.
After the operation, he stayed in the hospital for two weeks.
Learner examples
I had an operation on my leg.
Műtétem volt a lábamon.
The doctor will do the operation tomorrow.
Az orvos holnap végzi el a műtétet.
He is better after the operation.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'operation' with 'treatment'. An 'operation' is specifically surgical.
Meaning
Medical surgery or procedure
Collocations
have an operation
|undergo an operation
|life-saving operation
|minor operation
|surgical operation
Synonyms
surgery (More common in medical contexts; refers specifically to the procedure.)
Antonyms
noninvasive treatment (A treatment that does not require cutting into the body.)
Themes
health
|medicine
|body
Definition
A medical treatment where doctors cut into the body to fix a problem.
A medical procedure in which doctors cut into the body to repair, remove, or replace something.
NOUN
B1
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is in operation
The new subway line will be in operation next year.
Az új metróvonal jövőre áll majd üzembe.
This machine has been in continuous operation for 24 hours.
Ez a gép 24 órája folyamatos üzemben van.
Due to maintenance, the elevator is out of operation.
Learner examples
The bus service is in operation today.
A buszjárat ma közlekedik.
The machine is out of operation now.
A gép most üzemen kívül van.
The factory is in full operation.
Meaning
State of working or being active
Collocations
in operation
|out of operation
|put into operation
|cease operation
Synonyms
functioning (Refers broadly to something working as intended.)
Antonyms
shutdown (When something stops working or is turned off.)
Themes
technology
|engineering
|science
Definition
When a machine or system is working and doing its job.
The condition of a machine, system, or process being active and working as intended.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
4
művelet
B1
Addition and subtraction are basic mathematical operations.
Az összeadás és a kivonás alapvető matematikai műveletek.
The program performs several operations on the input data.
A program több műveletet hajt végre a bemeneti adatokon.
Division is the opposite of the multiplication operation.
Learner examples
Addition is a math operation.
Az összeadás matematikai művelet.
We use this operation to get the answer.
Ezt a műveletet használjuk, hogy megkapjuk az eredményt.
Multiplication is an important math operation.
Meaning
Mathematical or logical process
Collocations
mathematical operation
|logical operation
|basic operations
Synonyms
calculation (Emphasizes the result of applying mathematical operations.)
Antonyms
data storage (Keeping data without changing it.)
Themes
mathematics
|computing
|science
|technology
|education
Definition
A way of working with numbers or data, like adding or multiplying.
A process in mathematics or computing that changes numbers, data, or objects according to specific rules.
Grammar
Dictionary form
operation
IPA
GB/ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
op - er - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (er)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: operation
- Plural: operation, operations
Word family
Forms
operations
noun
Related words
operational
adjective B1
operationally
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
inoperative
adjective
inoperable
adjective
Advanced or less common
operative
adjective B2
Expressions
in operation
1/ˈɪn ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Currently working or active
Working and being used right now.
Examples
- The new airport terminal is now in operation.
- The old factory has not been in operation for years.
out of operation
1/ˈaʊt əv ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Not working or active at present
Not working or being used right now.
Examples
- The elevator is out of operation due to repairs.
- The website will be out of operation for maintenance tonight.
covert operation
1/kˈoʊvɚt ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
secret planned military or spy action
A planned military, spy, or political action that is done in secret so that people do not know who is behind it.
Examples
- They carried out a covert operation to gather intelligence.
- They authorized a covert operation to gather intelligence inside the country.
- The covert operation was revealed by journalists.
- The book reveals several covert operations carried out during the war.
- Congress demanded to know who had approved the covert operation.
military operation
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Planned action by soldiers
An organized action by the army, navy, or air force to reach a goal.
Examples
- The military operation lasted three weeks.
- The military operation lasted three days.
- They planned a joint military operation with allied forces.
- Several countries joined the military operation.