operable
adjective
op·er·a·ble
ˈä-p(ə-)rə-bəl 
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use : practicable
2
: likely to result in a favorable outcome upon surgical treatment
an operable cancer
Examples of operable in a Sentence
The radio is operable without the car running.
the historic wooden ship has been fully restored and is once again an operable seafaring vessel
Recent Examples on the Web
While the games are only operable while the car is in park, that hasn’t stopped driving safety advocates from raising concerns.
—
Kevin Williams, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2025
The monument, a full-size formerly operable helicopter, is called the Cmdr.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
This is a relatively rare occurrence in pancreatic cancer — only about 20% of pancreatic cancers are operable, which is the only treatment that can stop this type of cancer.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2025
Had the reservoir been operable, water pressure in the Palisades would have lasted longer on Tuesday night, said former DWP general manager Martin Adams, an expert on the city’s water system.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operable
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.
Kevin Williams, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2025
The monument, a full-size formerly operable helicopter, is called the Cmdr.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
This is a relatively rare occurrence in pancreatic cancer — only about 20% of pancreatic cancers are operable, which is the only treatment that can stop this type of cancer.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2025
Had the reservoir been operable, water pressure in the Palisades would have lasted longer on Tuesday night, said former DWP general manager Martin Adams, an expert on the city’s water system.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operable
Cite this Entry
“Operable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operable. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
operable
adjective
op·er·a·ble
ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use
2
: likely to have a favorable result upon surgical treatment
an operable cancer
Medical Definition
operable
adjective
op·er·a·ble
ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl
1
: fit, possible, or desirable to use
2
: likely to result in a favorable outcome upon surgical treatment
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share