Updated February 19, 2010.

Definition: Operation is a synonym for surgery, meaning exactly the same thing in regards to surgery. An operation, or a surgical procedure, is when a trained physician opens the body to provide therapy or to repair a problem within the body.

The operating room is where surgery takes place, just as the term "post-operative" means the time immediately after surgery.

Pronunciation: op-er-A-shun

Also Known As: surgery, operative, surgical, surgical procedure, operative procedure,

Common Misspellings: operashun, operaton, operatun, operatin, operatiun, opperation, opuration, oparation,

Examples: The patient was planning to have an operation to correct a problem with her back.