What is operation? Pronunciation and usage in English

operation means . Learn how to pronounce and use operation through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of operation

operationnoun

/ˌɒpəˈreɪʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of operation

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "operation" in English. It's a tricky one for non-native speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

/əpərˈeɪʃən/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • əpər - This is pronounced like “uh-per”. The “uh” sound is a schwa sound (the most common vowel sound in English, like in “about”). The "r" is lightly rolled, but not a strong roll.
  • ˈeɪʃən - This is the trickiest part. It’s pronounced like “ay-shun”.
    • ˈeɪ - This is the "ay" sound, like in “say” or “play”. The apostrophe (ˈ) indicates the stressed syllable.
    • ʃən - This sounds like "shun," with a “sh” sound followed by “un”.

Putting it together:

It sounds roughly like: uh-per-AY-shun

Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "op-er-a-tion." This is a very common mistake. The "a" in "operation" is not the same as in "opera."
  • Don't overemphasize the “r.” It’s a subtle sound.
  • Listen to native speakers. The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. You can easily find audio examples online:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you more example sentences with the word "operation"?

Usage and examples with the word operation in English

Let's break down how to use the word "operation" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by its common uses:

1. As a Noun (Most Common Usage - a Procedure or Task)

  • Medical Operations: This is probably the most immediately recognized meaning. It refers to a surgical procedure.

    • Example: "The patient underwent a heart operation to replace a damaged valve."
    • Example: “The doctors are planning an operation tomorrow.”

  • Business Operations: In a business context, it describes the day-to-day running of a company or department.

    • Example: "Our marketing operation is expanding to include social media."
    • Example: “The company’s operation is now managed remotely.”

  • Military Operations: Refers to a planned military action.

    • Example: “The operation to secure the border was a success.”

  • Logistical Operations: Describes a planned and organized effort related to movement or delivery.

    • Example: “The operation to deliver supplies to the remote village was challenging.”

  • Technical Operations: Describes the running of a system or piece of equipment.

    • Example: “The IT operation needs to be upgraded.”

  • Short for a task or process: Sometimes it's used as a shorthand for a process or task.

    • Example: “Let's run an operation to clean up the database.” (Meaning: Let’s do a cleaning process.)

2. As a Noun (A Group of People Working Together)

  • A team or group working on something: This is a less common, but still valid, meaning.
    • Example: "The operation to stop the leak involved a team of engineers and construction workers." (Referring to the team, not just the task).

3. As a Verb (To Carry Out a Procedure)

  • To perform a task or procedure: This is the verb form.
    • Example: “The team will operate on the damaged equipment.”
    • Example: “The company is operating at a loss.” (Meaning: running at a loss)
    • Example: "The surgeon operated on the patient successfully."

4. As a Verb (To Control or Direct - Less Common)

  • To control or manage: This usage is more formal.
    • Example: "The general operated the troops with precision." (Meaning: controlled and directed them).

Key Differences & Considerations:

  • "Task" vs. "Operation": Sometimes you could replace "operation" with "task" or “process”. "Operation" often implies a more complex, coordinated, and potentially delicate undertaking.

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "operation" depends heavily on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand exactly what’s being referred to.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., business, medical, military, general conversation?)
  • Do you have a specific sentence in mind where you want to use the word "operation"?

Synonyms for the word operation

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