- operation
- op|e|ra|tionW1S1 [ˌɔpəˈreıʃən US ˌa:p-] n▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(medical)¦2¦(business/organization)¦3¦(work/activities)¦4¦(actions)¦5¦(machine/system)¦6¦(principle/law/plan etc)¦7¦(military/police action)¦8¦(computers)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1.) ¦(MEDICAL)¦the process of cutting into someone's body to repair or remove a part that is damaged▪ a heart bypass operationoperation on/for▪ She's going to need an operation on her ankle.▪ He had an operation to reduce the swelling in his brain.▪ She underwent a minor operation on her elbow in the summer.▪ the surgeon who performed the operation▪ The poor man had two major operations in two weeks.▪ an emergency operation to save his sight▪ a routine knee operation▪ The first indications were that the life-saving operation had gone well.2.) ¦(BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION)¦a business, company, or organization▪ The firm set up its own property development operation.▪ a microchip manufacturing operation▪ Nolan and Barnes were both involved in the operation.3.) ¦(WORK/ACTIVITIES)¦ [U and C]the work or activities done by a business or organization, or the process of doing this work▪ Many small businesses fail in the first year of operation.▪ The Education Business Partnership has been in operation since 1989.4.) ¦(ACTIONS)¦a set of planned actions or activities for a particular purpose▪ The UN rescue operation started shortly after dawn.5.) ¦(MACHINE/SYSTEM)¦[U]the way the parts of a machine or system work together, or the process of making a machine or system work▪ The aircraft's engine operation was normal.in operation▪ Protective clothing must be worn when the machine is in operation.▪ The device has a single button, allowing for easy operation.▪ Careful checks must be made before the factory commences operation.▪ The new investment system came into operation in 1999.6.) ¦(PRINCIPLE/LAW/PLAN ETC)¦[U]the way something such as a principle or law works or has an effectin operation▪ a clear example of the law of gravity in operationcome/go into operation(=begin to have an effect)▪ The new rule comes into operation on February 1.put/bring sth into operation(=make something start to work)▪ A scheme is being brought into operation to see how these changes would work.7.) ¦(MILITARY/POLICE ACTION)¦a planned military or police action, especially one that involves a lot of people▪ Britain will carry out a joint military operation with the US.8.) ¦(COMPUTERS)¦an action done by a computer▬▬▬▬▬▬▬COLLOCATES for sense 1have an operationundergo an operation formal (=have an operation)perform an operationmajor/minor operationemergency operationroutine operation (=an operation that is often performed)life-saving operationHINT sense 1Do not say that someone 'takes an operation'. Say that they have an operation.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.
