operate
to work, perform, or function, as a machine does: This engine does not operate properly.
to work or use a machine, apparatus, or the like.
to act effectively; produce an effect; exert force or influence (often followed by on or upon): Their propaganda is beginning to operate on the minds of the people.
to perform some process of work or treatment.
Surgery. to perform a surgical procedure.
(of a drug) to produce the effect intended.
Military.
to carry on operations in war.
to give orders and accomplish military acts, as distinguished from doing staff work.
to carry on transactions in securities, or some commodity, especially speculatively or on a large scale.
Informal. to use devious means for one's own gain; insinuate oneself; finagle: a man who knows how to operate with the ladies.
to manage or use (a machine, device, etc.): Do you know how to operate a forklift?
to put or keep (a factory, industrial system, ranch, etc.) working or in operation: to operate a coal mine.
to bring about, effect, or produce, as by action or the exertion of force or influence.
Origin of operate
1Other words from operate
- op·er·at·a·ble, adjective
- pre·op·er·ate, verb (used without object), pre·op·er·at·ed, pre·op·er·at·ing.
- re·op·er·ate, verb (used with object), re·op·er·at·ed, re·op·er·at·ing.
- un·op·er·at·a·ble, adjective
- un·op·er·at·ed, adjective
- well-op·er·at·ed, adjective
Words Nearby operate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use operate in a sentence
The app will operate on a freemium model, with some of the simpler biological clocks and combined age score available for free, but some of the more sophisticated clocks will require payment to unlock.
What’s your biological age? A new app promises to reveal it—and help you slow the aging process | Jeremy Kahn | September 17, 2020 | FortuneKriel, 47, owns and operates Elli’s Kosher Kitchen, the only kosher catering company in Dubai.
Overdoses have gone up, while treatment centers are operating at limited capacity and struggling to stay afloat.
Society is making it clear that business has to do better, or risk losing its license to operate.
Announcing Fortune Connect, our new membership community | Alan Murray | September 15, 2020 | FortuneHe averaged almost 33 points per game on 53 percent shooting, taking full advantage of the abundance of space with which he had to operate.
Everything Should Be On The Table For The Houston Rockets. Even James Harden’s Future. | Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com) | September 14, 2020 | FiveThirtyEight
But it takes more than just pilots to operate the drone fleet.
Exclusive: U.S. Drone Fleet at ‘Breaking Point,’ Air Force Says | Dave Majumdar | January 5, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST"We will continue to operate in Portland," Uber spokeswoman Eva Behrend told The Oregonian.
They operate in a realm largely untouched by legislation, unions, and guilds.
Amazon’s Turkers Kick Off the First Crowdsourced Labor Guild | Kevin Zawacki | December 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTCrowd labor platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk operate with few rules and little protection for workers.
Amazon’s Turkers Kick Off the First Crowdsourced Labor Guild | Kevin Zawacki | December 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWithout the proper equipment to repair and operate the Mohajer-4 it may be more of a photo prop than a piece of weaponry.
Then they were to co-operate with an army moving up from Arkansas, and the State would be redeemed.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. DunnThe leaguers were now anxious to co-operate with the Americans in compelling the Spaniards to evacuate the Archipelago.
The Philippine Islands | John ForemanIt may be that the expedition was intended first to operate as a diversion, and then to join Bruce himself in Nithsdale.
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. MurisonLeander had but the one to operate his stick with, while Ernest was drivin' both fists right into the darkness in front of him.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydIt is difficult, however, to trace the mode in which they operate on a substance of such complexity as the soil.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry | Thomas Anderson
British Dictionary definitions for operate
/ (ˈɒpəˌreɪt) /
to function or cause to function
(tr) to control the functioning of: operate a machine
to manage, direct, run, or pursue (a business, system, etc)
(intr) to perform a surgical operation (upon a person or animal)
(intr) to produce a desired or intended effect
(tr usually foll by on) to treat or process in a particular or specific way
(intr) to conduct military or naval operations
(intr) to deal in securities on a stock exchange
Origin of operate
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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