operator

noun

op·​er·​a·​tor ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər How to pronounce operator (audio)
ˈä-ˌprā-
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
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 Inertia is essential for utility operators to fix sudden changes in frequency caused by changes in generation or consumption (50 cycles in Europe and 60 cycles in the United States). Llewellyn King, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025 The blackout hit the city of Cannes and surrounding towns, depriving 160,000 households of power supply, said French electricity transmission system operator RTE on its X account. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025 The company's business model is akin to commercial airlines, where operators can purchase an aircraft directly from a manufacturer and manage their own operations. ArsTechnica, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for operator

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of operator was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Operator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operator. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

operator

noun
op·​er·​a·​tor ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt-ər How to pronounce operator (audio)
1
: a person who operates something
the operator of an automobile
2
: a person in charge of a telephone switchboard

Medical Definition

operator

noun
op·​er·​a·​tor ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt-ər How to pronounce operator (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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