inoperable

adjective

in·​op·​er·​a·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce inoperable (audio)
1
: not treatable or remediable by surgery
an inoperable brain tumor
2
: not functioning : inoperative

Examples of inoperable in a Sentence

a patient with inoperable cancer The device makes the car inoperable when a key is not used to start it.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wind and rain were still whipping hard, and now cellphone service had ceased, making their map apps inoperable. Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 With this ruling, the frustration over inoperable ice cream dispensers may soon end. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Oct. 2024 Huge numbers of men were swept up in the two-week-long raid, which left the hospital destroyed and inoperable. Mick Krever, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024 House Republicans are asking the Homeland Security Department to provide details on inoperable surveillance cameras along the US southern border. Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inoperable 

Word History

Etymology

probably from French inopérable

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inoperable was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near inoperable

Cite this Entry

“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoperable. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

inoperable

adjective
in·​op·​er·​a·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce inoperable (audio)
1
: not treatable by surgery
an inoperable cancer
2
: not in working order : inoperative

Medical Definition

inoperable

adjective
in·​op·​er·​a·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce inoperable (audio)
: not treatable or remediable by or suitable for surgery
an advanced and inoperable cancer
a developing cataract still inoperable
inoperability noun
plural inoperabilities

More from Merriam-Webster on inoperable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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