operationop‧e‧ra‧tion /ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən $ ˌɑːp-/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 
She’s going to need an operation on her ankle.operation for an operation for canceroperation to do something He had an operation to reduce the swelling in his brain.2business/organization [countable] 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.3work/activities [countable, uncountable] 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 1989.4actions [countable] a set of planned actions or activities for a particular purpose: The UN rescue operation started shortly after dawn.5machine/system [uncountable] 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 1999.6principle/law/plan etc [uncountable] 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 something into operation (=make something start to work) A scheme is being brought into operation to see how these changes would work.7military/police action [countable] 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.8computers [countable] an action done by a computerCOLLOCATIONSverbshave an operation (also undergo an operation formal)· Harris had a hip operation in October.· She has undergone 50 operations since birth.do/carry out an operation (also perform an operation formal)· The operation was carried out by a team of surgeons at Papworth Hospital.· I’ve done this operation hundreds of times.recover from an operation· A man is recovering from an emergency operation after his pet dog attacked him.survive an operation· Only one person has survived an operation to implant an artificial heart.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + operationa knee/heart/stomach etc operation· He is almost back to full fitness after a knee operation.a major/minor operation· The unit cares for patients recovering from major operations.an emergency operation· He had to have his spleen removed in an emergency operation.a routine operation (=an operation that is often performed)· a routine operation to remove an appendixa life-saving operation· The child underwent a life-saving operation to remove a blockage in her stomach.a transplant operation· He is too weak to undergo a transplant operation.COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘take an operation’. Say have an operation. Don’t say ‘make an operation’. Say do an operation or perform an operation.THESAURUSoperation noun [countable] the process of cutting into someone’s body to repair or remove a part that is damaged: · He had an operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.procedure noun [countable] an operation performed in a particular way on a particular part of the body. Procedure is used especially in medical English, for example by doctors and people who work in hospitals. In everyday English people usually say operation: · a common surgical procedure· The procedure normally only takes a few minutes.transplant noun [countable] an operation to remove an organ from one person’s body and put it into another person’s body: · There is a shortage of donors for heart transplants.· She had to have a kidney transplant.surgery noun [uncountable] medical treatment involving an operation: · She required surgery on her right knee.· He was taken in for surgery.plastic surgery noun [uncountable] surgery to improve someone’s appearance: · The singer has just had plastic surgery on her nose.bypass noun [countable] an operation to make someone’s blood flow past a part of their heart that is blocked or damaged, often using a vein that has been removed from another part of their body: · He went into hospital for a triple heart bypass.skin graft an operation to repair an area of skin that has been badly damaged, especially using skin from another part of someone’s body: · Her leg was severely burned and may require a skin graft.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a big rescue operation
- a profitable data storage operation
- a throat operation
- Ask the surgeon how many times he has performed the operation before, and with what success.
- I had an operation on my knee last year.
- In a joint U.S.-Mexican operation, police arrested 28 people on charges of drug-smuggling.
- She runs one of the most powerful lobbying operations in Washington.
- Tell the mechanic to check the operation of the ignition system.
- the operation of the laws of gravity
- The doctor says I must have an operation.
- The new chip can process millions of operations per second.
- These are the lottery's worst results since its first year of operation.
- As part of the rescue operation it left control of the banks with the minority shareholders.
- Chris Miller is the operations supervisor for Fast Drains.
- He criticised the agency's surveillance operations, and alleged that it was incompetent.
- It's not known if the patrol which spotted the stolen car was part of this operation.
- One such initiative is that presented by the application of advanced expert systems to aircraft maintenance operations.
- Such procedures should aim to ensure efficient operation and the provision of fresh, clean air.
- The rules governing the operation of military housing covered 800 pages.
- Through a second group of functions, government supplements and modifies the operation of the market system.
THESAURUS
noun [countable] the process of cutting into someone’s body to repair or remove a part that is damaged: · He had an operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.
noun [countable] an operation performed in a particular way on a particular part of the body. Procedure is used especially in medical English, for example by doctors and people who work in hospitals. In everyday English people usually say operation: · a common surgical procedure· The procedure normally only takes a few minutes.
noun [countable] an operation to remove an organ from one person’s body and put it into another person’s body: · There is a shortage of donors for heart transplants.· She had to have a kidney transplant.
noun [uncountable] medical treatment involving an operation: · She required surgery on her right knee.· He was taken in for surgery.
noun [uncountable] surgery to improve someone’s appearance: · The singer has just had plastic surgery on her nose.
noun [countable] an operation to make someone’s blood flow past a part of their heart that is blocked or damaged, often using a vein that has been removed from another part of their body: · He went into hospital for a triple heart bypass.
an operation to repair an area of skin that has been badly damaged, especially using skin from another part of someone’s body: · Her leg was severely burned and may require a skin graft.
Longman Language Activatorthe work that companies do the work that companies do when they buy and sell goods and services: · Business in Europe has been badly affected by economic conditions in Asia.on business (=for business reasons): · She'll be back next week - she's in Korea on business.the advertising/computer/insurance business (=the work of companies that are involved in advertising, computers etc): · He's been in the advertising business for over 20 years now, and he wants to get out.have a head for business (=have a good understanding of business): · Spending a year working for a big company will be good for him - at the moment he has no head for business at all.
the buying and selling of goods and services, especially between countries: trade with/between: · The introduction of the Euro should make trade between European countries much easier.trade in something (=the buying and selling of a particular kind of goods): · The trade in data processing between countries is likely to grow faster than the trade in goods.trade agreement: · South Korea and Japan have signed an important trade agreement.trade deficit (=when a country buys more goods from another country than it sells to that country): · The trade deficit with China remains high.trade embargo (=when a country refuses to buy goods from another country or sell goods to that country): · The U.S. has maintained a trade embargo against Cuba since 1962.balance of trade (=the difference between the amount a country buys and the amount it sells): · Strong exports of services helped the overall balance of trade.world/international/overseas trade: · After agriculture, overseas trade accounts for the largest portion of the economy.the fur/arms/diamond etc trade (=the buying and selling of fur, weapons etc): · The war has created favorable conditions for the illegal arms trade.
the buying and selling of goods and services, especially between companies or countries - use this to talk about these activities in general: · One of the roles of the federal government is to regulate interstate commerce.· He had a genuine talent for commerce and soon had a brilliant career working for the World Bank.
the production of large quantities of goods to sell to people, or the companies and people that are involved in this process: · The region has tried to attract new industry in order to reduce unemployment.the textile/motor/engineering etc industry: · Many people moved from Asia to work in the British textile industry, where jobs were plentiful.in industry: · She was looking for a management position in industry.heavy industry (=the production of steel, cars, ships etc): · The Ruhr valley has always been the centre of German heavy industry.light industry (=the production of goods such as electronic and electrical goods): · Ireland is now a European center for light industry, like computer assembly.
the buying and selling of goods and services on the Internet: · E-commerce is still a small but fast-growing part of the U.S. economy.· a conference to debate the future of e-commerce
a company's operations are all its activities, especially in one country or one area of business: UK/US/overseas/international etc operations: · Salco may have to close down its UK operations with the loss of 1500 jobs.· He was an important decision maker in terms of GM's overseas operations.
business activities, especially those that involve the movement of money between companies, countries, banks etc: · The company had to pay a lot of tax on its financial dealings during the past tax year.dealings with: · Mr Stockwell's dealings with several Third World banks are currently under investigation.
a new business activity which involves risking money: · The group is planning to risk everything to get their next venture off the ground.business venture: · His bankruptcy was the result of several reckless business ventures.joint venture: · Ford has invested $125 million in a joint venture to build engines in China.
ways of saying that something is happening · She looked out of the window to see what was happening.· Property prices continue to rise and we still don't understand exactly why it's happening.what's happening? · The room began to shake and we stared at each other in terror. "What's happening?'' asked Robert.
if something is going on it is happening, especially if it makes you feel worried or annoyed: · It was obvious from the way they kept looking at each other that there was something going on.what's going on?: · "What's going on at the town hall?'' asked my mother. "There's a huge crowd of people there.''
formal if an arranged event, game, or operation is in progress , it has started and has not finished yet: · By the time we got to the stadium, the match was already in progress.· There must be no noise in the school while examinations are in progress.· An emergency relief operation is already in progress in Southern Sudan.
to be happening now or to be going to happen: · The summer sales are on next week.· People have to learn to economize when there is a war on.· The presidential election was on when we arrived in the States.
if an organized activity or an event such as a party is in full swing , it has already been happening for some time and people are taking part in a very active way: · By 10 o'clock the party was in full swing and everyone was dancing.· Barcelona was full of visitors, and preparations for the Olympic Games were in full swing.
if a plan or a system is in operation , it is being used and is working: · Over 20 training programmes are in operation, with almost 2000 trainees.
treatment for an injury or illness a medical method of curing someone who is ill or injured, for example by means of drugs or an operation: treatment for: · Doctors are trying out a new treatment for depression.treatment of: · Natural poisons such as snake venom are now being used in the treatment of human nervous disorders.receive treatment: · He's receiving treatment for cancer.medical treatment: · They received medical treatment at the hospital after the assault.course of treatment: · a course of treatment which should lead to an improvement in the patient's condition
a series of treatments for a problem, especially a mental one, usually without drugs or operations: · The therapy involves getting the patient to tell the doctor about their early childhood.· This child is clearly very disturbed emotionally and may require long-term therapy.be in therapy: · He's been in therapy for years, but he's still got a big self-esteem problem.speech therapy (=medical help to improve speech): · Will she need to have speech therapy?physical therapy: · Don underwent months of physical therapy after the accident.
the science of understanding illness and injury, and the methods used for treating them: · Jane is studying medicine.· The discovery of penicillin revolutionized Western medicine.alternative medicinealso complementary medicine British (=medical treatments based on ideas that are different from the ideas of Western scientific medicine): · So why is complementary medicine gaining popularity?conventional medicine (=the usual form of medicine used in most Western countries, involving the use of drugs and operations): · Many of these people have been failed by conventional medicine or have rejected it.
if you have an operation , a doctor cuts into your body to remove or repair a part that is damaged: have an operation: · The doctor says I must have an operation.operation on: · I had an operation on my knee last year.carry out/perform an operation: · Ask the surgeon how many times he has performed the operation before, and with what success.
treatment by doctors in which they cut into someone's body to remove or repair a part that is damaged: · She needed emergency surgery after the accident.surgery on: · He's currently recovering from surgery on his right knee.surgery for: · Last year, she underwent surgery for breast cancer.have/undergo surgery: · Before undergoing surgery, patients should discuss the various options with their doctor.major/minor surgery (=a serious/not very serious operation): · an injury requiring major surgeryknee/abdominal/heart etc surgery: · patients on the waiting list for heart surgery
when a doctor or nurse gives someone a drug using a special needle: have an injection: · I hate having injections.give somebody an injection: · Mrs. Wilson, I'm going to give you an injection to help you relax.
British /shot American informal an injection: · a typhoid jabget a jab/shot: · The kids have to get their shots before they go to school.
to officially start a new system, method, rule etc to officially start a new system, method, or rule for the first time: · The company is thinking of introducing medical tests for all employees.· New safety measures will be introduced next month.· The city authorities are bringing in new parking regulations next month.
to introduce a new law or rule gradually, over a fairly long period of time: · The new technology will be phased in over a five year period.· In an attempt to reduce opposition to its tax reforms, the government plans to phase them in gradually.
if a new law or system comes into effect or comes into operation , it starts to be used officially: · The new law came into effect in 1991.· Eventually a ban on the sale of fireworks to children came into operation.
WORD SETSadmin, nounadministration, nounadministrative, adjectiveadministrator, nounagency, nounagent, nounbalance sheet, nounbazaar, nounbid, nounbid, verbbig business, nounbook value, nounboss, nounbottom line, nounbranch, nouncapacity, nouncapital, nouncapital assets, nouncapital gains, nouncapital goods, nouncapital-intensive, adjectivecapitalist, nouncard, nouncentralize, verbcompetitiveness, nounconsultancy, nouncontract, nouncontract, verbcost-effective, adjectivecoupon, nouncritical path, noundecentralize, verbdeveloper, noundistiller, noundistributor, noundiversify, verbdownsize, verbeconomics, nounenterprise, nounentrepreneur, nounestablishment, nounfashion, nounfly-by-night, adjectivefold, verbfoodstuff, nounform letter, nounfranchise, verbfranchisee, noungazump, verbgearing, noungeneric, adjectiveget, verbhard sell, nounhaute couture, nounhigh season, nounhigh technology, nounhike, nounhike, verbloss, nounlow-tech, adjectivemaximize, verbMD, nounmerchandise, verbmerchandising, nounmerger, nounmiddleman, nounmiller, nounmission statement, nounmom-and-pop, adjectivemoneygrabbing, adjectivemoneymaker, noun-monger, suffixmonopolistic, adjectivemonopoly, nounnet, adjectivenet, verbniche, nounoff-the-peg, adjectiveopening time, nounoperation, nounoperational, adjectiveoperator, nounoption, nounoutlay, nounoutlet, nounoutput, nounoutwork, nounoverhead, nounoverstock, verbpackage, nounpartner, nounpartnership, nounpatent, nounpayola, nounpercentage, nounpiracy, nounpremium, nounprivate practice, nounprivatization, nounprivatize, verbprofitability, nounproprietor, nounproprietress, nounpurchase price, nounpurchasing power, nounquiet, adjectiveR & D, nounrate of return, nounrecall, verbreject, nounrep, nounresearch and development, nounrestrictive practices, nounrevenue, nounsell, verbservice industry, nounsleeping partner, nounspeculate, verbspeculation, nounspeculative, adjectivestreet value, nounsubtotal, nounswap meet, nounsweatshop, nounsyndicate, nounsystems analyst, nountake, nountender, nountie-up, nounTM, transact, verbtransaction, nounturnover, nounundersell, verbuneconomic, adjectiveunit, noununprofitable, adjectivevideo conferencing, nounwatchdog, nounwheeler-dealer, nounwheeling and dealing, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs Dinner was a combined effort. Intelligence sources denied the reports. a massive salvage operation Sarah is responsible for the smooth running of the sales department.
(also undergo an operation formal)· Harris had a hip operation in October.· She has undergone 50 operations since birth.
(also perform an operation formal)· The operation was carried out by a team of surgeons at Papworth Hospital.· I’ve done this operation hundreds of times.
· A man is recovering from an emergency operation after his pet dog attacked him.
· Only one person has survived an operation to implant an artificial heart.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + operation· He is almost back to full fitness after a knee operation.
· The unit cares for patients recovering from major operations.
· He had to have his spleen removed in an emergency operation.
(=an operation that is often performed)· a routine operation to remove an appendix
· The child underwent a life-saving operation to remove a blockage in her stomach.
· He is too weak to undergo a transplant operation.
COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘take an operation’. Say have an operation. Don’t say ‘make an operation’. Say do an operation or perform an operation.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=stop operating a business) The company ceased production at their Norwich plant last year.
The company ceased production at their Norwich plant last year.· He flew 280 combat missions in two wars.
Dinner was a combined effort.· The law must protect investors without interfering with the efficient operation of the market.
(=a medical operation that is carried out quickly when someone has been injured or become ill suddenly)· He had an emergency operation to save his sight.
Intelligence sources denied the reports. (=one that is not very serious or dangerous) He escaped with only minor injuries.
He escaped with only minor injuries.· The surgeon who performed the operation said it had gone well.
· UN officials accused the government of obstructing relief operations in the south of the country.
· A major rescue operation was launched yesterday after two divers were reported missing.
(=medical operation)· Many routine operations had to be cancelled.
a massive salvage operation Sarah is responsible for the smooth running of the sales department.· The cyclist underwent emergency surgery yesterday after a collision with a car.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· The restricted licence covers domestic and international goods vehicle operation for own account haulage.· The company said it will combine its international commercial-industrial operations with its domestic commercial-industrial business unit.· Skandia will swap part of its international reinsurance operations for 21 p.c. of its shares held by Uni Storebrand.· Banks with international operations, securities trading desks and other non-lending businesses fared best.· Many have previous distinguished careers on fast jets in the Royal Air Force or in international long-haul operations.· But that review did not anticipate the additional burdens placed on our military in the past few years by international peace operations.· Mr McCartney, 43 years old, previously was vice president, international operations.
· If, at 57, he looks frailer than ever, a recent major intestinal operation is to blame.· You did, however, take a major financial operation and put it under a trader.· Divers alert: A major rescue operation was launched yesterday after two divers were reported missing off Redcar.· In Venice it was a major operation, masterminded in this case by Michelato.· It was, as has often been observed, a safe prediction that major operations would not take place in midwinter.· A hysterectomy is a major operation with a long recovery period.· And Nils was planning a major operation on our engine.· The range of suppliers is also wide - from public agencies through major commercial operations to one-man consultancies.
· Read in studio A military operation involving four thousand servicemen has ended with a dramatic finale over Salisbury Plain.· After weeks of planning, the first phase of the military operation went well.· It was here that I first started to get a closer feel for what the military operations were.· He merely flew into the airport, where the military rescue operation was being organized.· The slaves gathered on August 30, 1800, but disbanded because a violent storm and flood made military operations impossible.· Voting was prevented or disrupted in some areas by military operations when soldiers took advantage of the truce.· But it is not clear whether the military operation which unfolded yesterday could have been organised in only four days.
· They claim that he removed healthy wombs and bungled routine operations, leaving them with bladder, kidney and liver damage.· For one, with so little time in the field, there was insufficient information about routine operations.· It would be very different unloading the skip across the beach to the routine operation in Marchwood Military Port.· An Ayrshire man is considering legal action against Crosshouse Hospital after his wife died following a routine operation.· The simulations involved real-time, interactive, routine operations, such as the actions of hanger and flight deck operators.· For a routine operation in which everybody knows what they are doing high involvement and high intensity are less critical.· In other words, the routine operation of reason is not just a matter of routine.· It is now a relatively routine operation available in the national health service.
· The whole operation however is more efficient with two persons with one applying and the other following and drying.· He slides himself and his whole operation nearer to the window.· There are lots of companies who will take charge of this whole operation, including the printing and fixing of the labels.· The whole operation was done in a spirit of perfect disdain.· The whole operation was based on 50 journeys or rounds, one for each vehicle on every working day of the week.· It can even jeopardise the whole operation.· Cheryl Peterson oversees the whole operation.· The whole operation has cost about £60 million, around half of which has come directly from central government.
NOUN· Naisbitt has transferred this technique from intelligence operations to commercial and social applications, with some very interesting results.· After the Watts rebellion, Johnsoh asked Hoover to expand his intelligence operations to include riot prediction.· But these were not covert intelligence operations.
· Divers alert: A major rescue operation was launched yesterday after two divers were reported missing off Redcar.· After searching two days for the body, authorities called off the rescue operation.· He merely flew into the airport, where the military rescue operation was being organized.· Indeed, the entire rescue operation seems to have proceeded at a glacial pace.· Fortunately a small group of folk banded together determined to save the bird and the rescue operation began.· This was the command center for the dangerous rescue operation of ValuJet Flight 592.· This rescue operation proved reasonably successful, as shown by Table 11.4.· Some sites are so important that it may be necessary for a rescue operation on an international scale.
VERB· The Shenzhen exchange had begun trial operations in May 1990.· Starting in the early 1990s, federal agents began setting up sting operations, including several in Maryland.· This they did at Motherwell, and the Dalzell works began operations early in 1872, employing 200 men.· Finally, at the end of the decade, a second automobile production plant began operation in East Liberty, Ohio.· When Fraser began operation in the 1960s, motor homes were unheard of in motor racing.· The resulting backbone connected thirteen sites and began operation in July 1988.· The first company to have received a licence is due to begin operations by the end of this year.· For example, a new facility there to make anti- cancer drugs is scheduled to begin operations this fall.
· An officer visited the Mill Lane Industrial Estate and found the company still carrying out their cleaning operation.· The control unit then enters the execute phase, to carry out the operation decoded in the fetch phase.· Once a teacher took some time with you, and you learned how to carry out these operations.· Some in industry have to carry out the same operation.· Mr Bewick was criticised strongly yesterday by Mr Sells for carrying out too many operations rather than reflecting on the ethics involved.· Simply by carrying out its day-to-day operations, an organisation necessarily communicates certain messages to those who interact with it.· Where is the operation carried out?
· Xorandor's logic transgresses that of binary systems because he combines mutually exclusive operations.· The company said it will combine its international commercial-industrial operations with its domestic commercial-industrial business unit.· The environmentally friendly retail chain will combine its Web operations with its retail and mail order activities.· The results reflected combined operations from the merger of Boeing and McDonnell Douglas, which took effect Aug. 1.· The associated information from the strings is merged according to prescribed information combining operations.· The first point is that generating letters and updating records must be combined into a single operation.· And a combined navy and army operation brought about the fall of the stronger Fort Morgan on August 23.
· An essential component of any local management scheme is the staff training which precedes its introduction and continues throughout its operation.· They encourage efforts to preserve that potential, and urge continued co-operation in this area.· It also has a built-in fault detection system which effectively off-lines defective elements, while the remainder continue operations.· Otherwise, actual profit on continuing operations is compared with the 120-day estimate.· The company has said it is seeking new partners to continue operations.· Chapter 11 permits a company to avoid immediate bankruptcy liquidation and continue in operation, at least temporarily.· Revenue from continuing operations rose 6. 7 percent to $ 290 million from $ 272 million.· The drug maker also said its 1995 earnings from continuing operations will surpass $ 2. 80 a share.
· Two surgeons will perform all the operations.· You can sort these tables and even perform mathematical operations on them.· There are instructions to move strings, to compare them, and to perform the usual logical operations.· Although digital computers have to simulate this parallelism, true neural network hardware will really perform the operations in parallel.· It is also very useful if you need to perform some conversion operation on a file.· My doctors performed a bypass operation to clear away a blockage in the blood vessels that supply my heart.· They had to perform a tracheotomy throat operation to aid his breathing.· To prevent certain paralysis they needed to perform a series of operations to graft a spinal vertebra.
· The need to be popular with growers while at the same time run a large commercial operation clashed, he says.· Dan Flynn ran a clean operation.· At Ellesmere Port a foreman and seven fitters run a 24 hour operation in two main shifts.· Although he runs the operation with a firm hand, the Steelers are more like a family than any other team.· We won't be run by a central operations centre.· Connors ran toward the operations tent.· I was supposed to be running the operation but I got caught up with other business.· A company with severe cash flow problems may have no choice but to run a lean inventory operation.
· She's already undergone an operation to have shrapnel removed from her back.· He did the same thing six months ago when he underwent a heart operation at Washington Hospital Center.· This is particularly the case for patients undergoing operations.· He underwent a six-hour operation and remained hospitalized for 15 days.· He underwent an operation on an injured thigh in the summer and will be missing until February.· Ashe, now 48, underwent a quadruple bypass operation after a heart attack at the age of 35.· She also has asthma and has undergone 50 operations since birth.· About to undergo his third knee operation in six years, he wondered if he would ever bowl fast again.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► (heart) bypass operation/surgery► counter-terrorist operation/team/unit etc
- MacArthur stated that it was imperative to prevent the dispatch of an amphibious force.
- Marines will be landing from several San Diego-based ships, led by the amphibious assault ships Tarawa and Peleliu.
- Operation Downfall called for two amphibious assaults.
- Ross previously was assigned as executive officer of the amphibious assault ship Essex.
- The amphibious assault ship Peleliu will lead the ready group, which includes the Juneau and Comstock.
- Two other such joint exercises, involving marine and amphibious forces, were already scheduled to start on Aug. 3.
- Additionally, entire segments of some companies will be eliminated as companies identify and refocus on their core business.
- But the single most reliable route to growth is probably to sell off everything but the core business.
- In all its acquisitions, Guinness has sought business opportunities that have enhanced and strengthened its core activities.
- None was big enough to become the core business of the company, Ousley says.
- Our strategy is to focus all our resources on the two core businesses of spirits and beers.
- This meant it could concentrate on two core businesses - security printing and heating and bathroom products.
- To maintain a high quality exploration portfolio focusing on core business areas and under-explored prospective basins.
- Will it be able to manage an acquisition outside its core business -- one in no need of fixing?
- The books give all the insider know-how for staying and getting around a country on a shoestring budget.
WORD FAMILYnounoperationcooperationoperativecooperativeoperatoradjectiveoperationaloperativecooperative ≠ uncooperativeverboperatecooperateadverboperationallycooperatively
1medical [countable] the process of cutting into someone’s body to repair or remove a part that is damagedoperation on She’s going to need an operation on her ankle.operation for an operation for canceroperation to do something He had an operation to reduce the swelling in his brain.2business/organization [countable] 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.3work/activities [countable, uncountable] 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 1989.4actions [countable] a set of planned actions or activities for a particular purpose: The UN rescue operation started shortly after dawn.5machine/system [uncountable] 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 1999.6principle/law/plan etc [uncountable] 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 something into operation (=make something start to work) A scheme is being brought into operation to see how these changes would work.7military/police action [countable] 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.8computers [countable] an action done by a computerCOLLOCATIONSverbshave an operation (also undergo an operation formal)· Harris had a hip operation in October.· She has undergone 50 operations since birth.do/carry out an operation (also perform an operation formal)· The operation was carried out by a team of surgeons at Papworth Hospital.· I’ve done this operation hundreds of times.recover from an operation· A man is recovering from an emergency operation after his pet dog attacked him.survive an operation· Only one person has survived an operation to implant an artificial heart.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + operationa knee/heart/stomach etc operation· He is almost back to full fitness after a knee operation.a major/minor operation· The unit cares for patients recovering from major operations.an emergency operation· He had to have his spleen removed in an emergency operation.a routine operation (=an operation that is often performed)· a routine operation to remove an appendixa life-saving operation· The child underwent a life-saving operation to remove a blockage in her stomach.a transplant operation· He is too weak to undergo a transplant operation.COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘take an operation’. Say have an operation. Don’t say ‘make an operation’. Say do an operation or perform an operation.THESAURUSoperation noun [countable] the process of cutting into someone’s body to repair or remove a part that is damaged: · He had an operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.procedure noun [countable] an operation performed in a particular way on a particular part of the body. Procedure is used especially in medical English, for example by doctors and people who work in hospitals. In everyday English people usually say operation: · a common surgical procedure· The procedure normally only takes a few minutes.transplant noun [countable] an operation to remove an organ from one person’s body and put it into another person’s body: · There is a shortage of donors for heart transplants.· She had to have a kidney transplant.surgery noun [uncountable] medical treatment involving an operation: · She required surgery on her right knee.· He was taken in for surgery.plastic surgery noun [uncountable] surgery to improve someone’s appearance: · The singer has just had plastic surgery on her nose.bypass noun [countable] an operation to make someone’s blood flow past a part of their heart that is blocked or damaged, often using a vein that has been removed from another part of their body: · He went into hospital for a triple heart bypass.skin graft an operation to repair an area of skin that has been badly damaged, especially using skin from another part of someone’s body: · Her leg was severely burned and may require a skin graft.