operate

verb

op·​er·​ate ˈä-pə-ˌrāt How to pronounce operate (audio)
ˈä-ˌprāt
operated; operating

intransitive verb

1
: to perform a function : exert power or influence
factors operating against our success
2
: to produce an appropriate effect
the drug operated quickly
3
a
: to perform an operation or a series of operations
The refinery is planning to begin operating as soon as possible.
b
: to perform surgery
The surgeon has been operating all morning.
c
: to carry on a military or naval action or mission
The army will operate in conjunction with the air force.
4
: to follow a course of conduct that is often irregular
crooked gamblers operating in the club

transitive verb

1
2
a
: to cause to function : work
operate an automobile
b
: to put or keep in operation
operated a grocery store
3
: to perform an operation on
especially : to perform surgery
usually used with on
operate on a patient
operating on a brain tumor

Examples of operate in a Sentence

They hope to have the windmill operating again tomorrow. The camera also operates underwater. The machine can operate at high speeds. instructions for operating the new microwave oven a license to operate a motor vehicle The café is owned and operated by a young couple. The organization operates a recycling program. It's the only casino operating in the state. The company operates from Chicago. a militant group operating against the government See More
Recent Examples on the Web That agreement would form a new joint powers authority to operate the hospital, and Tri-City’s assets and liabilities would be transferred to the university health system. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2023 The hospital, which was financed by the Indonesian government and operated by the Gaza Health Ministry, was hit around 2:30 a.m. after Israeli tanks drew closer to the compound amid constant shelling and gunfire, according to a nurse and a hospital administrator. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 21 Nov. 2023 The intense jamming of radio communications and GPS in Ukraine has only accelerated the shift, as autonomous drones can often keep operating even when communications are cut off. Eric Lipton, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023 Architects made the aesthetic choice to raise the city on a platform, allowing the pods to operate one level below in the shade — a fortuitous choice, because their batteries would have struggled in the UAE’s heat. Chico Harlan, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023 With war crimes investigators and international journalists unable to operate independently in Gaza, United Nations officials and open-source data researchers say the full details of Israel’s bombing campaign remain largely unknown. Anna Schecter, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2023 The best induction ranges should heat up quickly, transfer heat thoroughly and be easy to operate and understand. Laura Denby, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2023 In this conception, OpenAI would operate more like a research facility or a think tank. Karen Hao, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2023 Medieval people were detailed investigators of the natural world and believed the same forces that shaped the landscape and the stars operated inside bodies formed from the same four elements of earth, water, air and fire. Meg Leja, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'operate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin operātus, past participle of operārī "to work, be efficacious, effect, produce," going back to Latin, "to busy oneself, be at work," probably back-formation from operātus "busy, engaged, occupied with religious observances," from opera "activity, effort" + -ātus -ate entry 3 — more at opera entry 2

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of operate was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near operate

Cite this Entry

“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operate. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

operate

verb
op·​er·​ate ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt How to pronounce operate (audio)
operated; operating
1
: to work or cause to work in a proper way
how to operate the new microwave oven
2
: to take effect
a drug that operates quickly
3
: manage sense 1
operate a business
4
a
: to perform an operation or a series of operations
b
: to perform surgery
operate on a patient
Etymology

from Latin operatus, past participle of operari "to work" — related to maneuver see Word History at maneuver

Medical Definition

operate

verb
op·​er·​ate ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt How to pronounce operate (audio)
operated; operating

intransitive verb

: to perform surgery

transitive verb

: to perform surgery on
operated the growth

More from Merriam-Webster on operate

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