operator
noun
op·er·a·tor
ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər 
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
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
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
That reiterated pre-season reviews by the NBA and its partners of bet types most vulnerable to manipulation, and the league continues to review and evaluate in collaboration with the operators.
—
Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2025
The $300,000 will create construction grants for commercial property owners or business operators to renovate their spaces and increase accessibility through external improvements like façade repairs, secondary entrances or parking lot repairs, Van Galen said.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 14 Nov. 2025
Related Stories Her husband’s tragic death was what pushed Cammie to give up her career as a Nashville music producer to become a 9-1-1 dispatch operator, and give a large donation to the center.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025
The state agency worked closely with the mine operator, Phoenix- based Freeport-McMoRan, to safely remove the sheep from the area to prevent dangerous accidents caused by traffic or mining operations.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operator
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2025
The $300,000 will create construction grants for commercial property owners or business operators to renovate their spaces and increase accessibility through external improvements like façade repairs, secondary entrances or parking lot repairs, Van Galen said.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 14 Nov. 2025
Related Stories Her husband’s tragic death was what pushed Cammie to give up her career as a Nashville music producer to become a 9-1-1 dispatch operator, and give a large donation to the center.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025
The state agency worked closely with the mine operator, Phoenix- based Freeport-McMoRan, to safely remove the sheep from the area to prevent dangerous accidents caused by traffic or mining operations.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operator
Cite this Entry
“Operator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operator. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
operator
noun
op·er·a·tor
ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt-ər
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
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 operonLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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