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Essential Collocations with "Operation": Master Professional English
Mastering collocations with operation significantly enhances your English proficiency across professional, academic, and technical contexts. These word partnerships appear frequently in business communications, medical terminology, military reports, and technical documentation. Understanding how different adjectives and nouns combine with "operation" enables precise expression and demonstrates advanced language competency essential for English proficiency exams like IELTS and professional communication.

I. What is Operation?
In English, Operation is pronounced /ˌɑː.pəˈreɪ.ʃən/ and functions as a noun in a sentence, meaning: the fact of operating or being active, an activity that is planned to achieve something. For example:
- We expect the new system for assessing claims to come into operation.
- Less profitable business operations there will be difficulty in finding financial support.

II. Compilation of common collocations with Operation
Understanding collocations with operation enhances your English fluency and helps you communicate more precisely across various contexts. These word combinations appear frequently in academic, professional, and everyday discourse. Collocations with operation demonstrate the versatility of this noun across multiple domains.

1. Business and Commercial Operations
No. |
Collocations with Operation |
Example |
1 |
Agricultural operation /ˌæɡrɪˈkʌltʃərəl ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The agricultural operation focused on planting wheat in the spring. |
2 |
Banking operation /ˈbæŋkɪŋ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Depositing money and withdrawing cash are common banking operations. |
3 |
Commercial operation /kəˈmɜːʃəl ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The factory resumed commercial operation after a temporary shutdown. |
4 |
Cattle operation /ˈkætəl ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The rancher managed a large cattle operation in the Midwest. |
5 |
Farming operation /ˈfɑːmɪŋ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The family ran a successful farming operation, growing crops and raising livestock. |
6 |
Retail operation /ˈriːteɪl ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The company expanded its retail operation to include online sales. |
7 |
Manufacturing operation /ˌmænjʊˈfæktʃərɪŋ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The manufacturing operation produces 10,000 units per day. |
8 |
Business operation /ˈbɪznəs ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The new manager streamlined the business operation to reduce costs. |
9 |
Financial operation /faɪˈnænʃəl ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The audit revealed irregularities in the financial operation. |
10 |
Mining operation /ˈmaɪnɪŋ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The mining operation extracted copper from the mountainous region. |
2. Medical and Healthcare Operations
No. |
Collocations with Operation |
Example |
11 |
Cataract operation /ˈkætərækt ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The patient underwent a cataract operation to improve vision. |
12 |
Heart operation /hɑːt ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The surgeon performed a successful heart operation on the elderly patient. |
13 |
Emergency operation /ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The doctor conducted an emergency operation to save the accident victim. |
14 |
Surgical operation /ˈsɜːdʒɪkəl ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The surgical operation lasted six hours and required specialized equipment. |
15 |
Delicate operation /ˈdɛlɪkət ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Performing brain surgery is a delicate operation that requires precision and skill. |
16 |
Routine operation /ruːˈtiːn ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The appendectomy was considered a routine operation with minimal risks. |
17 |
Major operation /ˈmeɪdʒər ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The patient needed time to recover from the major operation. |
18 |
Minor operation /ˈmaɪnər ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The doctor assured her that removing the mole was just a minor operation. |
19 |
Transplant operation /ˈtrænzplɑːnt ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The kidney transplant operation took twelve hours to complete. |
20 |
Life-saving operation /laɪf ˈseɪvɪŋ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The life-saving operation prevented the patient from going into cardiac arrest. |
3. Military and Security Operations

No. |
Collocations with Operation |
Example |
21 |
Airlift operations /ˈeəˌlɪft ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənz/ |
The military conducted airlift operations to deliver supplies to remote areas. |
22 |
Amphibious operation /æmˈfɪbiəs ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The Marines executed an amphibious operation to storm the beach. |
23 |
Combined operation /kəmˈbaɪndɪd ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The military forces conducted a combined operation involving ground troops and air support. |
24 |
Covert operation /ˈkʌvərt ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The intelligence agency carried out a covert operation to gather information. |
25 |
Peacekeeping operation /ˈpiːsˌkiːpɪŋ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
United Nations troops participated in a peacekeeping operation in the region. |
26 |
Rescue operation /ˈreskjuː ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The coast guard launched a rescue operation to save the stranded sailors. |
27 |
Search operation /sɜːtʃ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Police organized a search operation to find the missing hiker. |
28 |
Intelligence operation /ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The spy network conducted an intelligence operation to infiltrate enemy lines. |
29 |
Joint operation /dʒɔɪnt ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Multiple agencies coordinated a joint operation against organized crime. |
30 |
Undercover operation /ˌʌndəˈkʌvər ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Detectives ran an undercover operation to catch drug dealers. |
4. Technical and System Operations
No. |
Collocations with Operation |
Example |
31 |
Arithmetic operation /əˈrɪθmətɪk ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Addition and subtraction are basic arithmetic operations. |
32 |
Computer operation /kəmˈpjuːtər ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The technician monitored the computer operation throughout the night. |
33 |
System operation /ˈsɪstəm ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The power grid maintained stable system operation during peak demand. |
34 |
Network operation /ˈnetwɜːk ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
IT specialists ensure smooth network operation across all departments. |
35 |
Database operation /ˈdeɪtəbeɪs ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The programmer optimized database operations to improve response time. |
36 |
Backup operation /ˈbækʌp ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The company scheduled automatic backup operations every evening. |
37 |
Software operation /ˈsɒftweər ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Users received training on software operation before system deployment. |
38 |
Machine operation /məˈʃiːn ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Workers learned proper machine operation procedures for safety compliance. |
39 |
Digital operation /ˈdɪdʒɪtəl ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The bank transformed its digital operation to serve customers better. |
40 |
Automated operation /ˈɔːtəmeɪtəd ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The factory implemented automated operation to increase production efficiency. |
5. Operational Characteristics and Management

No. |
Collocations with Operation |
Example |
41 |
Daily operation /ˈdeɪli ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Checking emails is part of the daily operation for most office workers. |
42 |
Day-to-day operation /ˌdeɪ tə ˌdeɪ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The manager oversees the day-to-day operation of the restaurant. |
43 |
Continuous operation /kənˈtɪnjʊəs ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
This ensures stability during continuous operation. |
44 |
Continued operation /kənˈtɪnjud ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Despite setbacks, the factory maintained continued operation to meet deadlines. |
45 |
Continuing operation /kənˈtɪnjuɪŋ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The supermarket ensured continued operation during the holiday rush. |
46 |
Contingency operation /kənˈtɪndʒənsi ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The company developed a contingency operation in the case of a power outage. |
47 |
Entire operation /ɪnˈtaɪər ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The CEO oversees the entire operation of the multinational corporation. |
48 |
Extensive operation /ɪkˈstɛnsɪv ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The construction project involved an extensive operation spanning several months. |
49 |
Smooth operation /smuːð ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Regular maintenance ensures smooth operation of all machinery. |
50 |
Efficient operation /ɪˈfɪʃənt ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The new workflow created more efficient operation throughout the organization. |
6. Environmental and Infrastructure Operations
No. |
Collocations with Operation |
Example |
51 |
Cleanup operation /ˈkliːnʌp ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
Volunteers organized a cleanup operation to remove litter from the park. |
52 |
Clearing operation /ˈklɪərɪŋ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The forestry service conducted a clearing operation to reduce fire hazards. |
53 |
Drilling operation /ˈdrɪlɪŋ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The oil company conducted a drilling operation to extract natural resources. |
54 |
Waste operation /weɪst ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The city modernized its waste operation to include recycling programs. |
55 |
Water operation /ˈwɔːtər ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The municipal water operation supplies clean drinking water to residents. |
56 |
Transportation operation /ˌtrænspɔːˈteɪʃən ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The logistics company expanded its transportation operation across three states. |
57 |
Maintenance operation /ˈmeɪntənəns ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The bridge required extensive maintenance operation to ensure public safety. |
58 |
Construction operation /kənˈstrʌkʃən ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The construction operation will transform the downtown area over two years. |
7. Legal and Administrative Operations
No. |
Collocations with Operation |
Example |
59 |
Illegal operation /ɪˈliːɡəl ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The authorities shut down the illegal operation selling counterfeit goods. |
60 |
Legal operation /ˈliːɡəl ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The company ensured all activities remained within legal operation boundaries. |
61 |
Administrative operation /ədˈmɪnɪstrətɪv ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The new software streamlined administrative operations across departments. |
62 |
Continuity of operation /ˌkɒntɪˈnjuːɪti əv ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ |
The organization emphasized the continuity of operation to ensure smooth transitions during emergencies. |
These collocations with operation demonstrate the versatility of "operation" across multiple domains. Learning these combinations enables precise communication in professional, academic, and technical contexts. Each collocation carries specific connotations that enhance meaning beyond the individual words themselves. Business operation collocations prove particularly valuable in corporate environments, while emergency operation phrases help in crisis situations.
For more collocations with Operation, you can visit the link below!
EXPLORE MORE COLLOCATION AND OPERATION ON CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY!
III. Exercises on collocations with Operation
To further understand collocations with operation, complete the exercise below with PREP!
1. Exercise: Choose the correct answer
-
The implementation of precision farming techniques increased the efficiency of _______, resulting in higher yields and reduced environmental impact.
-
Agricultural operations
-
Illegal operations
-
Extensive operations
-
-
The _______ conducted by humanitarian organizations delivered much-needed supplies to remote areas affected by natural disasters.
-
Farming operations
-
Airlift operations
-
Entire operations
-
-
The military conducted a successful _______, landing troops and equipment on the enemy-held beach under the cover of naval gunfire.
-
Day-to-day operation
-
Daily operation
-
Amphibious operation
-
-
In mathematics class, students practiced various _______ such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to strengthen their problem-solving skills.
-
Arithmetic operations
-
Continuous operations
-
Covert operations
-
-
The _______ was temporarily disrupted due to a cyberattack, causing inconvenience to customers trying to access their accounts online.
-
Combined operation
-
Banking operation
-
Cataract operation
-
2. Answer
1 - A |
2 - B |
3 - C |
4 - A |
5 - B |
These 62 collocations with operation represent fundamental vocabulary patterns that native speakers use instinctively. From medical procedures to business processes, military actions to technical systems, each combination carries specific meaning that enhances communication precision. Regular practice with these collocations with operation develops natural fluency and prepares you for advanced English usage in professional environments. Incorporate these expressions into your speaking and writing to achieve more sophisticated and accurate English communication. Understanding collocations with operation proves essential for IELTS success and professional development.

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.
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