operate

verb

op·​er·​ate ˈä-pə-ˌrāt 

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

5

: to drive a vehicle

cited for operating under the influence

transitive verb

1

: bring about, effect

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

Synonyms of operate

• use
• handle
• work

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The rest of the women have pretty much accepted Vicki’s temperament by now and mostly operate around her, enjoying the refreshing Miami energy after the bumpiness of the previous parties. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

The system makes hands-free upright mobility available to eligible wheelchair users living with spinal cord injuries at any level, who can manually operate the device’s controller. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026

For the moment, the Defense Department’s investments are operating in a legal morass that lawmakers in both parties see as unsustainable. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

For those in Palm Beach County, Alpert JFS also operates its own Community Access Life Line (CALL), at 561-684-1991 for information, intake and referral services. — Courtney Marx, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for operate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

operate

verb

op·​er·​ate ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt 

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 

operated; operating

intransitive verb

: to perform surgery

transitive verb

: to perform surgery on

operated the growth