Health / A2

op-uh-RAYSHUN/ˌɒpəˈreɪʃn/

An operation is a planned activity, or surgery: a rescue operation, a military operation, have an operation. Surgery is the medical cousin. Operate is the verb. Factory operations means day-to-day work — extra. Do not write operation when you mean opera, or cooperation.

Meaning

A planned activity, or medical surgery in hospital.

Examples

• “The airport operation ran smoothly after the storm.”
• “She is at home after a small operation on her wrist.”
• “The snow operation kept one runway open.”

Good to know

have an operation / a rescue operation. Verb: operate. Medical cousin: surgery. Mix-up: opera.

Topics

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