operating
adjective
op·er·at·ing
ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tiŋ 
ˈä-ˌprā-
1
a
: arising from, relating to, or used for or in the operations of something (as a business)
operating expenses
a hospital operating room
b
: of or relating to the way something functions or is controlled
operating speed/conditions
2
: engaged in some form of operation or function
an operating motor
3
: used for or in a medical procedure for the repair of damage or defect of the body or the restoration of health
the operating room in a hospital
Examples of operating in a Sentence
the only operating nuclear power plant in the state
Recent Examples on the Web
Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million.
—
Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023
Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2022
Known for many years for its great and famous passenger trains, the last regularly scheduled FECR passenger train ran on July 31, 1968, due to the work stoppage by the non-operating unions that began on January 22, 1963.
—Seth H. Bramson, Sun Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2022
On Monday, as Hasbro released its fourth quarter earnings, the toy maker recorded a $41.3 million net non-cash, non-operating charge associated with the company’s investment in the Discovery Family Channel.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2022
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Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023
Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2022
Known for many years for its great and famous passenger trains, the last regularly scheduled FECR passenger train ran on July 31, 1968, due to the work stoppage by the non-operating unions that began on January 22, 1963.
—Seth H. Bramson, Sun Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2022
On Monday, as Hasbro released its fourth quarter earnings, the toy maker recorded a $41.3 million net non-cash, non-operating charge associated with the company’s investment in the Discovery Family Channel.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operating. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
operating
adjective
op·er·at·ing
ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt-iŋ
: of, relating to, or used for operations
a hospital operating room
operating scissors
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