1. Regarding a situation in which the functionality is possible: After the fire in the building, there was only one operable machine left while all the others had been destroyed.

The salesman told Jim that the car radio would be operable even if the engine was turned off.
2. Pertaining to the possibility of putting something into practice: doable: After talking about the day's activities, Jill and Thomas figured out an operable plan of getting everything done without stress.
3. Relating to the treatment by a surgical procedure with a reasonable degree of safety and chance of success: Dr. Hathaway told Mrs. Green that the kind of cancer she had was operable and very simple to remove and that she shouldn't be frightened or worried at all.