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

Its consumer-facing partners include Regent Seven Seas Cruises, luxury home-rental platform Plum Guide, chauffeur service Blacklane and restaurant operator The Wolseley Hospitality Group. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

The reason big supermarkets, operated by national and regional operators, are so often excluded is an old zoning law that’s a competition and affordability-killer, and that affordability-king Mamdani is doing nothing about. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026

The ferry operator, PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran, reported the incident to the Surabaya search and rescue office about an hour later, Basarnas said in a statement. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

Both the owner and operator were arrested by police and charged with multiple felony counts. — Bryant Reed, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

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

Phrases Containing operator

• crane operator
• smooth operator

Rhymes for operator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids 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 operon