Operable

Operable is an adjective describing something that can be operated or brought into operation. It is formed from the verb operate with the suffix -able. The term is used across disciplines to denote that a device, system, procedure, or condition can be engaged, controlled, or acted upon in a meaningful way.

In medical contexts, operable refers to conditions that can be treated by surgery. An operable tumor, for example, is one that a surgeon can remove with acceptable risk. Determinations of operability weigh factors such as location, size, metastasis, and the patient’s overall health and treatment goals. When surgery is not viable due to these factors, the condition is described as inoperable.

In engineering and everyday use, operable describes equipment or systems that can be activated, controlled, and maintained to perform their intended function. An operable valve or switch responds to inputs and can be safely used. In software and product safety, operability emphasizes that a device or interface can be used under expected conditions and remains functional after routine maintenance and updates.

Related terms include operability, the noun form, and inoperable or non-operable, which describe conditions or items that cannot be operated effectively. The concept of operability helps guide decisions in fields ranging from clinical treatment planning to design, testing, and safety verification.