core operations

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralbusiness

   The main or most important activities that a company or organization must do to keep running and make money.

   Grammar: Always plural in form and used with a plural verb: core operations are efficient. You can say a core operation for one single activity, but the plural is the usual business term.

   Patterns

   • core operations of a company
   • run/manage core operations
   • focus on core operations

   The company decided to sell its hotel division and concentrate on its core operations.

   During the strike, core operations at the factory slowed down but did not stop.

   She was hired to make the bank's core operations more efficient.

2. 2nounpluraltechnical

   The essential everyday tasks that a system, machine, or group performs as its main function.

   Grammar: Also plural and used with a plural verb. Often followed by 'of' to name the system or group: the core operations of the network.

   Patterns

   • core operations of something
   • perform core operations
   • support core operations

   The software handles the core operations of the network, such as routing and security.

   Engineers tested the core operations of the robot before it was sent to the site.

   Teaching and assessment are the core operations of any school.

Word forms

Common combinations

core operations of a business

The report examined the core operations of a business under pressure.

streamline core operations

New software helped streamline core operations and cut costs.

day-to-day core operations

The manager is responsible for day-to-day core operations.

outsource core operations

Some firms outsource core operations to save money, though this can be risky.

disrupt core operations

A power failure can disrupt core operations for hours.

Synonyms and how they differ

main activities

A general phrase; 'core operations' is more formal and often suggests the activities that are essential for survival.

principal operations

Very similar in meaning but slightly more formal and less common in everyday business talk.

key functions

Focuses on what something does rather than the activities themselves; 'core operations' often implies ongoing business processes.

Opposites

Word family

core adjective

Central or most important: core business, core values.

operate verb

To work or make something work: operate a machine, operate a business.

operational adjective

Related to how something works in practice: operational costs, operational problems.

operation noun

A single activity or business; also a medical procedure.

Commonly confused: core operations or core operation?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “core operations”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words