# operation

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌɒp.əˈɹeɪ.ʃən/ · frequency rank #1,279

## Definitions
1. The method by which a device performs its function.
2. The method or practice by which actions are done.
3. The act or process of operating (verb): agency; the exertion of power, physical, mechanical, or moral.
4. A planned undertaking.
5. A business or organization.
6. A surgical procedure.
7. A procedure for generating a value from one or more other values (the operands).
8. A procedure for generating a value from one or more other values (the operands).
9. A military campaign (e.g. Operation Desert Storm).
10. Effect produced; influence.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₃ep-
Proto-Indo-European *-os
Proto-Indo-European *h₃épos
Proto-Italic *opos
Latin opus
Latin opera
Proto-Indo-European *-h₂
Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂
Proto-Indo-European *-tós
Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos
Proto-Italic *-ātos
Latin -ātus
Latin operātus
Latin operor
Proto-Indo-European *-tisder.
Proto-Italic *-tjō
Latin -tiō
Latin operātiōder.
Old French operacionbor.
Middle English operacioun
English operation
From Middle English operacioun, from Old French operacion, from Latin operātiō, from the verb operor (“to work”), from opus, operis (“work”). Equivalent to operate + -ion.

## Easily confused with
- **oration** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/operation-vs-oration)
- **operator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/operation-vs-operator)
- **operative** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/operation-vs-operative)
- **operations** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/operation-vs-operations)
- **operational** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/operation-vs-operational)
- **operatic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/operatic-vs-operation)
- **operating** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/operating-vs-operation)

## Common misspellings (13)
`oepration`, `opeartion`, `operaiton`, `operasion`, `operatino`, `operationn`, `operatoin`, `operattion`, `operration`, `opertaion`, `opperation`, `opreation`, `poeration`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/operation