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Glite Dictionary
in operation

in operation

27 3.2
Working now and serving its purpose
  • idiom
: en funcionamiento
  • Students can learn about the number of nuclear power plants in operation and their capacity.
  • system in operation
  • plant is in operation
  • site in operation

So the other jumping forward, the CFR court then was in operation.

Examples

  • At the time of this survey, a full-fledged party system was in operation in Korea.

    Academic text (1994)

  • This great amusement park has been in operation since 1985, attracting visitors every year.

  • And they have been in operation now for some number of years.

  • And these forces right now are still in operation and these changes are still taking place.

  • That particular device was not in operation at the time.

    The Pit and the Pendulum (1961)

  • Now the the factory is back in operation and the strike is lost.

  • These programs have remained in operation because they provide an awful lot of jobs.

  • For your safety and security, CCTV is in operation in every station.

    Survivor (2015)

  • On average, shelters had been in operation for approximately 12 years.

    Academic text (2008)

  • 24-hour CCTV recording is in operation at this station.

    Weekend (2011)

Synonyms

on
vsin operation
∞ 1.0

Having power so it works

is the broader idea of being functioning or being currently in effect
operating
vsin operation
359 3.9

Working or being used now

places emphasis on active functioning and current use or effect
working
vsin operation
322 1.0

Able to be used and good enough for everyday tasks

also covers active functioning and the state of being used or effective
active
vsin operation
232 1.0

Operating now and not stopped

focuses on the state of being functional and currently in use or effect
underway
vsin operation
188 4.1

Happening right now

means functioning or actively in effect rather than merely being in progress
up and running
vsin operation
108 3.7

Working properly after it is started or fixed

highlights general functioning rather than the recent start or repair condition
operational
vsin operation
90 4.1

Working and ready to use, for example machines or systems

is the general state of functioning or currently being in effect or use
in use
vsin operation
74 1.0

Taken by someone so it is not free or available

is the general concept of functioning or being currently in effect or use
operative
vsin operation
33 4.8

Working and able to produce an effect

is the broader idea of being in effect or actively functioning now
in-service
vsin operation
21 3.7

A machine used now in regular service, for example a bus

is broader and applies to any functioning use beyond formal service roles
in force
vsin operation
  • Formal
15 3.9

A law or rule that is active now and must be followed

is the general notion of being active or usable beyond legal contexts
activated
vsin operation
15 4.4

Ready to begin work, for example a military unit or machine

refers to the ongoing state of functioning rather than the change to readiness
running
vsin operation
5 1.0

A machine or system that is working

is broader, also meaning legally or generally in effect or use

Antonyms

out of order
57 2.1

Not working so you cannot use it, like a machine or toilet

inactive
19 2.5

Not being used or working now

How Operational

running
295 1.5
in operation
27 3.2
standby
59 3.7
inactive
19 2.5
out of order
57 2.1

Surface Forms

in operation positive

Morphology

in + operation

The meaning 'functioning or actively working' is directly and transparently derived from 'in' (indicating a state/location) + 'operation' (a process of functioning); a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the phrase means something is currently working. This preposition + noun state construction is common in English and in many other languages, so the sense is predictable and easily comprehensible.

Etymology

In operation comes from the sight of machines or systems working: when a machine is switched on it is literally in operation, doing its work. So calling something in operation means it is 'functioning' or 'actively working' now.