operator

noun

op·er·a·tor | \ ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər

, 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 operon

Other Words from operator Example Sentences Learn More about operator

Keep 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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bruno Monnier, the president of museum operator Culturespaces, told Dezeen. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Fine art goes full digital in new Paris museum," 30 Aug. 2018 Bystanders at fireworks displays are injured just as often as operators, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. — Amanda Macmillan, Health.com, "This 25-Year-Old's Warning About Fireworks Safety Is Going Viral After a Celebration Left Him Nearly Blind," 3 July 2018 And that goes for anybody on the move: walkers, skaters, baby-carriage pushers, motorcyclists, food-cart operators, delivery men, bus, truck, ambulance, and car drivers. — Stella Bugbee, The Cut, "July, Ride On," 2 July 2018 That's something the New England Patriots have been doing through the team's operator, Kraft Sports Group, which examines fan behavior and uses analytics to tailor its marketing tactics. — Katherine Peralta And Joseph Person, charlotteobserver, "A new chapter is about to begin for the Carolina Panthers. Here's what we know.," 29 June 2018 As well as a standard bearer for liberalism, Mr Macron emerges as an extremely adept political operator with a healthy streak of cynicism and ruthlessness, a hyper-active politician comfortable with the trappings of power. — The Economist, "Emmanuel Macron, the resolutely modern philosopher king," 13 June 2018 Still, one thing missing from the equation is the small satellite operators. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "The Pentagon Is Declassifying Lots of Info About What's in Orbit," 13 Dec. 2018 But in recent years, satellite operators ranging from the Air Force to telecommunications companies to startup Earth-imaging ventures have stressed the benefits of prioritizing mini-payloads on certain launches. — Andy Pasztor, WSJ, "SpaceX Launches 19th Rocket in a Year, a Company Record," 3 Dec. 2018 Amazon’s rival retailers and warehouse operators, in particular, may feel pressure to raise pay, too. — Josh Boak, The Seattle Times, "As joblessness falls, skilled workers might be hard to find," 23 Oct. 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about operator

Dictionary Entries near operator

Statistics for operator

Last Updated

13 Feb 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for operator

The first known use of operator was in 1598

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for operator

operator

noun

English 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

noun

op·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

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