elementary operation
nounUK /ˌel.ɪˈmen.tər.i ˌɒp.əˈreɪ.ʃən/
US /ˌel.əˈmen.tri ˌɑː.pəˈreɪ.ʃən/
A basic math step like adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
In math class, we practiced each elementary operation on the board.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A simple, basic action or step in a process.
Checking the temperature is an elementary operation in the experiment.
3. In computing, a single basic instruction a computer can carry out.
The processor performs millions of elementary operations every second.
4. A fundamental move or procedure in a system or method.
The teacher showed the elementary operations of the new software first.