operator

noun op·er·a·tor \ ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər , ˈä-ˌprā- \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Examples: operator in a Sentence

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

2 a : mountebank, fraud

b : a shrewd and skillful person who knows how to circumvent restrictions or difficulties

3 a : 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 operon

—

operatorless

adjective

See operator defined for English-language learners

See operator defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of operator from the Web

The trucks can also be controlled by a remote operator who is located hundreds of miles away using Phantom Auto’s teleoperation technology.

— andrew j. hawkins, The Verge, "This electric driverless logging truck can carry up to 16 tons of timber," 12 July 2018
Public Law 1321 allows Indianapolis and other districts across the state to create Innovation Network Schools — schools that are overseen by the school district but managed by private operators.

— valerie strauss, Washington Post, "What’s really going on in Indiana’s public schools," 12 July 2018
Calculating the amount of marijuana Massachusetts will consume — and, in turn, how much must be grown and the price for which it can be sold — is the daily work of a small army of consultants hired by cannabis operators.

— dan adams, BostonGlobe.com, "The hidden, high-tech world of communications at Fenway Park," 10 July 2018
The president would also clarify that the NATO alliance will respond to any attack—even a cyber attack on civilian targets or one conducted by special operators disguised as civilians.

— evelyn farkas, Time, "How Trump Could Actually Make the Summit with Putin a Success," 9 July 2018
Those hours and days of operation can be temporarily adjusted by written approval of the monitoring committee upon application and good cause shown by the operator.

— erik s. hanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Franklin extends landfill hours to accommodate John's Disposal after fire at Racine County plant," 6 July 2018
They were dropped off June 22 by an air taxi operator at the Sanford Glacier airstrip less than 2 miles from where the bodies were found, the agency said.

— alex demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "Searchers find bodies of missing hikers in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park," 3 July 2018
In Curacao, divers can join lionfish hunts organized by dive operators Ocean Encounters and The Diveshop Curacao.

— mark rogers, USA TODAY, "Lionfish in the Caribbean: Destructive menace, delicious dinner," 3 July 2018
It is added or discharged by ship operators when cargo is loaded or unloaded, or to improve stability during bad weather.

— keith matheny, Detroit Free Press, "Snyder vetoes bill weakening ballast water standards," 29 June 2018

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of operator

borrowed from Late Latin operātor "worker, producer," from operārī "to work, be efficacious" + Latin -tor, agent suffix — more at operate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1598

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

OPERATOR Defined for English Language Learners

operator

noun

Definition of operator for English Language Learners

: 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

OPERATOR Defined for Kids

operator

noun op·er·a·tor \ ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər \

Definition of operator for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

operator

noun op·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 operon