To save this word, you'll need to log in.
op·er·a·tor | \ ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər 
, ˈä-ˌprā- \
, ˈä-ˌprā- \Definition of operator
1 : one that operates: such as
a : one that operates a machine or device
b : one that operates a business
c : one that performs surgical operations
d : one that deals in stocks or commodities
2a : mountebank, fraud
b : a shrewd and skillful person who knows how to circumvent restrictions or difficulties
3a : something and especially a symbol that denotes or performs a mathematical or logical operation
b : a mathematical function
4 : a binding site in a DNA chain at which a genetic repressor binds to inhibit the initiation of transcription of messenger RNA by one or more nearby structural genes
— called also operator gene
— compare operonKeep scrolling for more
Examples of operator in a Sentence
the operator of an automobile
the operator of a nuclear power plant
Call the operator for the phone number. Operator, please connect me with extension 123.
She's quite an operator—no one else could have gotten them all to agree to the project.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web Four of the most recent employees to test positive for the virus, the three bus operators and one light rail operator, had contact with the public.
—
Houston Chronicle, "METRO bus operators, light rail operators test positive for COVID-19," 10 July 2020 The Cleveland man was arrested and charged with OVI refusal, possession of cocaine and no operator’s license.
—
Cheryl Higley, cleveland, "Man treated for accidental gunshot wound: North Ridgeville police blotter," 10 July 2020 Friday morning, that show — and three others that had been planned — were canceled by venue operator Pabst Theater Group due to rising cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.
—
Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Turner Hall Ballroom cancels newly scheduled concerts because of rise in coronavirus cases in Wisconsin," 10 July 2020 Portuguese charter operator Hi Fly has removed most of the seats from its sole A380 — the world's first to be converted for freight — to transport medical and protective equipment for Covid-19.
—
Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, "What you need to know about coronavirus on Thursday, July 9," 9 July 2020 Our platform allows one satellite operator to maintain 75 to 100 satellites.
—
Ashton Nichols, Dallas News, "Q&A with Hypergiant’s Ben Lamm: How he scored a satellite deal with the U.S. Air Force," 9 July 2020 For toll operator Transurban, the stay-at-home measures could result in a 25-30% decline in Melbourne traffic during this half of the year from the same period in 2019.
—
Jackie Edwards, Bloomberg.com, "New Melbourne Lockdown Could Hurt Airport, Hospital Stocks," 8 July 2020 That includes New Hampshire, where the most recent live telephone operator poll from the Saint Anselm College Survey Center put the former vice president up seven points over the GOP incumbent in the White House.
—
Fox News, "New Hampshire governor stresses ‘it’s imperative’ attendees wear masks at Trump rally," 7 July 2020 Brijesh Pancholi is the proprietor of Chandan Travels, a travel agency and tour operator in Ahmedabad, India.
—
National Geographic, "American tourists are banned from Europe, but not these countries," 7 July 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'operator.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for operator
operator
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of operator
: a person who uses and controls something (such as a machine, device, or business) : someone who operates something
: a person whose job is to help to connect telephone calls : a person who is in charge of a telephone switchboard
: a person who is able to easily achieve things especially by persuading people or by being dishonest
See the full definition for operator in the English Language Learners Dictionary
operator
nounop·er·a·tor | \ ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər \
\Kids Definition of operator
1 : a person who manages or controls something
a plow operator
2 : a person in charge of a telephone switchboard
3 : a person who is skillful at achieving things by persuasion or deception
operator
nounop·er·a·tor | \ ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt-ər \
\Medical Definition of operator
1 : one (as a dentist or surgeon) who performs surgical operations
2 : a binding site in a DNA chain at which a genetic repressor binds to inhibit the initiation of transcription of messenger RNA by one or more nearby structural genes
— called also operator gene
— compare operonKeep scrolling for more
Comments on operator
What made you want to look up operator? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
July 2020 Words of the Day Quiz
- Which is a synonym of mien?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share operator
Time Traveler for operator
The first known use of operator was in 1598
See more words from the same year